The Continued Growth of Para Events in the Pacific Games

A recent development in the scope of the Pacific Games has been the inclusion of Para-Sports. Athletics has been at the forefront of this movement.

Para events were first introduced into the Pacific Games in Nouméa in 2011 when four parasport events were included: Men’s Shot Put – seated throw, Women’s Shot Put – seated throw, Men’s Javelin – ambulatory, and Men’s 100m – ambulatory. From then they have become a regular part of the Pacific Games and Mini Pacific Games programme.

With its long history of Para Sport activity, it is not surprising that New Caledonia has been a leader in this field, and not surprising that they introduced the Para events when they hosted the 2011 Games.

As a newcomer to this branch of our sport, I was given a crash course in understanding the rules, regulations and the classification system at the 2000 Sydney Paralympics when I was an assistant to the announcer at the Olympic Stadium for the Para events.

I was introduced to a French athlete, Thierry Cibone, who came from New Caledonia. Thiery won three gold medals, all with world records, at the Sydney Games. It was good to see him at the track during the Wallis & Futuna Mini Games in 2013. Thierry also won bronze medals at the 2004 and 2012 Paralympics. He was still competing at the 2020 Paralympics. His performances and longevity are impressive.

Most of the impressive performances on the world stage have been from New Caledonian athletes, representing France. In the London Paralympics, 2008, a PNG sprinter, Francis Kompaon (T46 Category) won a silver medal in the 100m. Francis also won gold in the 2011 Pacific Games in the T46 category. In the 2012 Paralympics Fiji’s Iliesa Delana won his high jump category – for athletes with only one leg – when he cleared 1.74m to win the Paralympic gold medal.

Back to New Caledonia. We see them at Games after Games, and they are still highly competitive. Rose Vandegou and Rose Welepa have been stalwarts for New Caledonia for many years. It is appropriate that the timeless song by Edith Piaff – La Vie En Rose – should be played in their honour. I am sure that Edith knew of their year after year successes.

In the 2015 Pacific Games in Port Moresby, New Caledonia’s Thierry Washetine, although a Parasports category of F20, finished 7th in the Javelin Throw with a distance of 49.57m. He is another of the New Caledonian Para Sports stars who has made a big impact on the world scene, with a world title in 2005.

It was not a surprise when the two Thierry competitors, Cibone and Washetine, won gold medals at the 2017 Mini Games in Port Vila and then again at the 2019 Pacific Games in Apia. Joining them was Rose Vanegou (gold) and Rose Welepa (silver). Rose Vandegou won a gold and two silver medals in Apia.

In the 2023 Pacific Games in Honiara, the two Thierry competitors were not present, but Rose Vandegou won three gold medals.

Have these Para stars just about reached retirement, or will they keep on, keeping on?

None of the Para stars mentioned above are with us in Palau, and it is up to the newcomers to claim their place in the history of Para Sports in the Pacific Games.
Three Paralympians representing Fiji and Vanuatu at the 2024 Paris Paralympics will feature in the throwing events, Ken Kahu – VAN F44, Naibili Vatunisolo FIJ – F42, Selina Seau FIJ – 46. Rising stars from the previous Games are Dorna Longbut (PNG – T/F 46), Steven Abraham (PNG – T46), Soane Meisonnier (WAF – F20) and Regina Edwards (PNG – F44).

Will be fascinating to follow the progress of the athletes just mentioned and see if they can emulate the two Thierry’s and the two Rose’s.