Vanuatu is participating in the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, United Kingdom, from August 29 to September 9, 2012."All Oceania Nations to Head to London 2012 Together", International Paralympic Committee, 9 September 2011 The country initially hoped to send athletes to compete in wheelchair tennis and track and field."Vanuatu Paralympic Committee Aims for London 2012", Vanuatu Paralympic Committee, 15 July 2012 Ultimately, however, its delegation was to consist in only one athlete, Marcel Houssimoli, in three sprinting events. He was the country's flag-bearer during the Games' opening ceremony."Hellen to carry our flag" , Solomon Star, 26 August 2012
Athletics
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.Vanuatu athletes , London 2012 official website"VAN PARALYMPIC ATHLETE IN THE OLYMPICS", Vanuatu Association of Sports and National Olympic Committee"Houssimoli i redi from London 2012 Paralympics", Vanuatu Daily Post, 13 August 2012 As the country's only competitor, he was also the country's opening ceremonies flag bearer.
In heat 1 in the 200m, he finished sixth and last, in 30.12 s.Results : men's 200m T37 , London 2012 official website 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."Athlétisme - Qualifications et Finales", France Télévisions, 31 August 2012
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.Men's 400m - T38 , London 2012 official website"Athlétisme - Qualifications et Finales", France Télévisions, 2 September 2012 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.
In heat 1 in the 100m, he finished 9th and last, in 14.55.Men's 100m - T37 , London 2012 official website
Men's Track and Road Events AthleteEventHeatFinalResultRankResultRankMarcel Houssimoli100m T3714.559did not advance200m T3730.126did not advance400m T381:09.035 q1:07.617
See also Summer Paralympic disability classification Vanuatu at the Paralympics Vanuatu at the 2012 Summer Olympics
Notes