Ongiou Timeon (born 8 July 1989) is an I-Kiribati Paralympic athlete who competes in the shot put event. He is representing Kiribati at the 2024 Summer Paralympics.
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | I-Kiribati |
| Born | 8 July 1989 |
| Sport | |
| Country |  Kiribati |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Disability class | F11 |
| Event | Shot put |
| Club | TTM |
| Coached by | Karotu Bakae, Kofo Kekeang[1] |
Career
editAfter competing in the Queensland Athletics State Championships in 2020, Timeon, together with his teammate and coach ended up being stranded in Fiji.[2][3] Border closures caused by the COVID-19 pandemic prevented them from travelling home to Kiribati.[2][3]
Timeon is the first athlete to represent Kiribati at a Paralympic Games.[4][5] He is the only competitor for the island nation at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris and competed in the men's F11 shot put event.[4][6] He was Kiribati's flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics.[7][8]
References
edit- ^ "TIMEON Ongiou". Paris 2024 Paralympics. Retrieved 2 September 2024.
- ^ a b "COVID-19: Agonising wait for Kiribati athletes stranded in Fiji". International Paralympic Committee. 22 May 2020. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ a b Gillen, Nancy (23 May 2020). "Para-athletes from Kiribati stranded in Fiji during pandemic". www.insidethegames.biz. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ a b Tian, Sabrina (29 August 2024). "Pasifika TV showcases Paris 2024 Paralympics and record number of athletes from Pacific Islands". Pasifika TV. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Not here to play games! Pacific Paralympians arrive in Paris". www.pacificaussports.gov.au. Retrieved 1 September 2024.
- ^ "Timeon Ongiou – Paris 2024". www.paralympic.org. 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Tonga and Pacific nations set for Paris Paralympics Opening Ceremony". Talanoa o Tonga. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
- ^ "Paris Paralympics 2024 Opening Ceremony: Full list of flagbearers". Sportstar. 28 August 2024. Retrieved 31 August 2024.