PARIS. – On the eve of the actual competition of the 17th Paralympic Games here, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachman told the country’s six standard-bearers that “we are all excited to see you carry our flag and prove that you will be an inspiration to everyone.”
“The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will soon commence and our Paralympians are all geared up to showcasing another history for the country. Your fight proves that everybody shares the same goals and successes for Philippine sports,” he said.
“The whole country extends our well wishes for the productive campaign of Ernie Gawilan, Cendy Asusano, Angel Mae Otom, Agustina Bantiloc, Jerrold Gawilan and Allain Ganapin,” added Bachmann, who arrived here in time to witness the grand opening ceremony at the Place dela Concorde Champs-í‰lysées.
Clad in their colorful ethnic-inspired parade uniforms, all six para campaigners were among the crí¨me dela crí¨me of 4,350 athletes from 168 countries who took part in the festive rites held in an outdoor setting at 8 p.m. (2 a.m. Thursday in Manila) between two iconic attractions in the City of Lights.
“This is going to be the biggest squad we can send in the Paralympic Games after 12 years. Filipinos are more than excited to see your abilities shining on the international stage.”
To bolster the campaign of the Pinoy bets, the PSC bankrolled a training camp in Nimes, France as early as Sept. 11 so they could acclimatize to the conditions and adjust their bodies ato the Parisian weather that is starting to get cooler as the days go by.
“Your mere appearance in the Paralympic Games completes everyone’s dream for an inclusive sporting community. Laban! Para sa bayan! Mabuhay ang mga Bidang Bayaning Manlalaro,” Bachmann told the country’s “Sensational Six.”
First to see action on Thursday at 1 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila) is Agustina Bantiloc, who will compete in the women’s individual compound open ranking round at the archery range in Les Invalides.
Should she finish among the top 16 after the round, the 56-year-old native of Tanudan, Kalinga will be back at the range in the knockout round on Friday for a spot in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
A former powerlifter, Bantiloc is the country’s first para archer to represent the country in the quadrennial global sports showcase featuring the world’s best physically-challenged athletes.
