PARIS – Ang lahat ng anim na national para athletes at apat na coaches ay magsusuot ng pinakamagandang kasuotan sa Miyerkoles ng gabi sa kanilang pagdalo sa inaasahang spectacular outdoor opening ceremony ng 17th Paris Paralympic Games sa Place dela Concorde to Champs-Élysées sa Paris, France.
Subalit pagkatapos na lumahok sa festive rites sa kanilang ethnic-inspired uniforms, balik ang pokus nina para swimmer Ernie Gawilan at para archer Agustina Bantiloc at teammates Jerrold Mangliwan, Cendy Asusano, Angel Mae Otom at Allain Ganapin sa pagsabak sa Games.
Makakasama nila sa Paralympic Games opening-night festivities sina coaches Gershon Bautista, Jonathan Josol, Berson Buen, at Brian Ong ng taekwondo, archery, track and field at swimming, ayon sa pagkakasunod-sunod. Ang kampanya ng PH Paralympians ay suportado ng Philippine Sports Commission (PSC).
“To ensure that the spotlight is firmly on the achievements of the Paralympic athletes, the values that they embody and the emotions that they inspire in us, Paris 2024 wanted to offer them a groundbreaking showcase by organizing the first Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony outside the confines of a stadium,” pahayag ni Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet sa isang statement.
“Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées, the world’s most beautiful avenue, will be transformed into an outstanding stage to showcase the Paralympic movement in a breathtaking setting,” pagbibigay-diin ni Estanguet sa okasyon na inaasahang aakit ng hindi bababa sa 500,000 aficionados sa pamosong Parisian square simula alas-8 ng gabi (2 a.m. Thursday, Manila time).
Sa isang statement mula sa Manila ay sinabi ni Philippine Paralympic Committee president Mike Barredo na, “We pray that the success of our Olympians in Paris just two weeks ago will rub off and inspire our athletes to excel more than ever before,”
“We would like to thank PSC Chairman Dickie Bachmann for fully supporting our Paralympians, allowing them extra time in France to acclimatize and adjust so they can do better and hold their own with the best in their respective sports,” ani Barredo.
“We urge our countrymen to pray just as hard for them so that they can exceed all our expectations and make our country proud!”
Tulad ng pagtsi-cheer niya para sa Paris Olympians ng bansa, si Bachmann ay umalis patungong Paris nitong Martes para magbigay ng suporta sa PH Paralympic Games standard-bearers mula umpisa hanggang matapos.
“Our para athletes have had to strive and work harder so that they can show to everyone that they are just dedicated and passionate about their sport. We admire them for overcoming their handicaps to prove that they belong among the elite in the Paralympic Games,” aniya.
Unang sasalang sa Miyerkoles ng gabi matapos ang opening ceremony gala si Bantiloc, na sasabak sa women’s compound event sa shooting range sa Les Invalides.
