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A Pacific Islander woman coaching outdoors.

"It's their first time in Canberra, or in Australia … They are very, very excited to come here,"
Ms Nango said.

A man in a sports shirt at an outdoor oval.

"They are very rare, particularly in the southern hemisphere. So, we've targeted this [round of classifications] as the only opportunity they will have to have any chance of being in Paris."

"A typical classification opportunity could cost us [up to] $40,000 just to bring them in and go through that process. So, it's an expensive process,"
Mr Bird said.

Several people exercising on an oval.

"Back home, we go to each community to tell them that [people with a disability] are important people, and not to make them [feel] shame,"
Ms Nango said.

"To be recognised, to step forward, and all of a sudden, they're representing their island, Tanna, and their country, Vanuatu on an international stage … It's a life changing moment."

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