PH Paralympians get strong backing from Filipino community

PARIS—Team Philippines got a timely confidence boost in the 17th Paralympic Games with Philippine Ambassador to France Junever Mahilum-West urging the strong backing of the Filipino community here in the nation’s quest for medals.

Four more Filipino Paralympians are still in the hunt for a glorious podium finish starring para swimmers Ernie Gawilan and Angel Mae Otom as well as wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan and javelin thrower Cendy Asusano halfway through these Games.

``Let us provide them all our support. May they ignite a new generation of para athletes and torch bearers who will carry forward this legacy of inspiration and dedication in the years to come,’’ Mahilum-West during the special gathering on Sunday at the Embassy of the Philippines.

Gawilan is scheduled to compete in the men’s 400m freestyle S7 on Monday and could figure in the final early Tuesday morning as the Philippine campaign supported by the Philippine Sports Commission and facilitated by the Philippine Paralympic Committee kicks into high gear.

According to Philippine Deputy Chief of Mission Eric Gerardo Tamayo, there are at least 25,000 Filipino in France ready to throw their support to the national para athletes.

``Paris 2024 is sending a message to the world of a gentle revolution for inclusion. Let’s us all heed this call through the programs and activities involving our community,’’ said Mahilum-West.

Para swimmer Angel Mae Otom will open her bid in the women’s 50m backstroke S5 on Tuesday and wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan steps into the Stade de France anew for the qualifying heats of the men’s 100m T52 race on Thursday.

``As far as the Paralympic movement is concerned, we are definitely trying our best to push the development of para sports in our country to further the Paralympic movement, the core values of which are determination, inspiration, courage and equality,’’ said PPC president Michael Barredo.

``The Ambassador mentioned inclusion revolution. Again, it is aligned with our mission and vision in the Paralympic movement to make for an inclusive world through para sport and an inclusive Philippines through para sport,’’ added Barredo.

Otom, a triple-gold medalist in the 2023 Asean Para Games, gets another crack at a medal in the women’s 50m butterfly S5 on Friday, after which Cendy Asusano closes out the Philippine campaign in the women’s javelin throw F54 on Saturday.

``The PSC is here to support. We took advantage also to see how are we compared to all the other countries and to see how we can improve moving forward. I have my notes and I will work with the PPC in trying to improve our para athletes in the Paralympics,’’ said PSC Chairman Richard Bachmann.

Apart from the athletes and their coaches, also gracing the courtesy call were PPC Secretary General Goody Custodio, PPC Director for Para Sports Development Milette Bonoan and PH chef de mission to the Paralympics Ral Rosario.

Taekwondo’s Allain Ganapin and archer Agustin Bantiloc fought gallantly during the weekend but missed out on a medal.