PARIS –  On the eve of the actual competition of the 17th Paralympic Games, Wednesday, Philippine Sports Commission Chairman Richard Bachman was excited about the country’s six standard-bearers “to see you all 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 added.  

“The whole country extends our well wishes for the productive campaign of Ernie Gawilan, Cendy Asusano, Angel Mae Otom, Agustina Bantiloc, Jerrold Mangliwan, and Allain Ganapin,” said Bachmann, who arrived here just in time to witness the grand opening ceremony at the Place dela Concorde to the Champs-Élysées.  

“This is going to be the biggest squad we can send in the Paralympic Games after 12 years.  The Filipinos are more than excited to see your abilities shining on the international stage.”

Clad in their colorful ethnic-inspired parade uniforms, all six para campaigners were among the crème dela crème of 4,350 athletes from 168 countries who were to take part in the festive evening rites to be held in an outdoor setting starting at  8 p.m. (2 a.m. Thursday in Manila) between two iconic attractions in the City of Lights.  

To give the PH para athletes a competitive edge, the PSC bankrolled a training camp in Nimes, France as early as Aug. 11 for them to acclimatize to the conditions and adjust their body clocks properly to the Parisian weather that is getting cooler by the day.

“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,” exhorted Bachmann of the country’s “Sensational Six.”

The first athlete to go into action on Thursday at 1 p.m. (7 p.m. in Manila) is Bantiloc, who will compete in the women’s individual compound open ranking round at the archery range in Les Invalides, a location showcasing French military history.

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 first para archer to represent the country in the quadrennial global sports showcase featuring the world’s best physically-challenged athletes.