Vanuatu at the 2012 Summer Paralympics | |
---|---|
IPC code | VAN |
NPC | Vanuatu Paralympic Committee |
in London | |
Competitors | 1 in 1 sport |
Flag bearer | Marcel Houssimoli |
Medals |
|
Summer Paralympics appearances ( overview) | |
Vanuatu is participating in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, United Kingdom, from August 29 to September 9, 2012. [1] The country initially hoped to send athletes to compete in wheelchair tennis and track and field. [2] Ultimately, however, its delegation was to consist in only one athlete, Marcel Houssimoli, in three sprinting events. [3] He was the country's flag-bearer during the Games' opening ceremony. [4]
Marcel Houssimoli, a right hand amputee, received a wildcard invitation to compete in the men's 100m and 200m in the T37 disability category, and in the men's 400m T38. [3] [5] [6] As the country's only competitor, he was also the country's opening ceremonies flag bearer. [7]
In heat 1 in the 200m, he finished sixth and last, in 30.12 s. [8] He was the only athlete not to use the starting blocks, and finished more than five seconds behind fifth-placed Rhys Jones of Great Britain. [9]
In heat 1 in the 400m, he finished fifth and last, in 1:09.03, more than fifteen seconds behind the other athletes; the crowd cheered him on to the finish line. He was the only T37 athlete in the race; his opponents, categorised T38, had a lower level of disability. Despite his slow time, he qualified for the final as a fastest loser. [10] [11] He finished seventh and last in the final, improving his time to 1:07.61, fourteen seconds behind sixth-placed Marius Stander of South Africa. [10]
In heat 1 in the 100m, he finished 9th and last, in 14.55. [12]
Athlete | Event | Heat | Final | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Result | Rank | Result | Rank | ||
Marcel Houssimoli | 100m T37 | 14.55 | 9 | did not advance | |
200m T37 | 30.12 | 6 | did not advance | ||
400m T38 | 1:09.03 | 5 q | 1:07.61 | 7 |