Solomon Islands at the 2012 Summer Paralympics
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2018}}
{{infobox country at games
| NPC = SOL
| NPCname = Solomon Islands Paralympics Committee
| games = Summer Paralympics
| year = 2012
| flagcaption = Flag of the Solomon Islands
| oldcode =
| website =
| location = London
| competitors = 1
| sports = 1
| flagbearer = Hellen Saohaga
| rank =
| gold = 0
| silver = 0
| bronze = 0
| officials = 3
| appearances = auto
| app_begin_year =
| app_end_year =
| summerappearances =
| winterappearances =
| seealso =
}}
The Solomon Islands made their Paralympic Games début at the 2012 Summer Paralympics in London, United Kingdom, from August 29 to September 9, 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/13580-paralympics-starts-trainings-this-week|title=Paralympics starts trainings this week|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324031731/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/13580-paralympics-starts-trainings-this-week |archive-date=March 24, 2012|url-status=dead|access-date=August 5, 2018|work=Solomon Star|date=February 2, 2012}} The country sent one athlete, shot putter Hellen Saohaga. She finished 15th out of 19 competitors, and did not medal at these Games.
Background
The Solomon Islands Paralympics Federation was recognised as a full member of the International Paralympic Committee in 2011, granting the country the right to send a delegation to the London Games. The Solomons initially planned to send athletes to compete in track and field and powerlifting events. Among the country's hopefuls were Benjamin Vae in the shot put, who was internationally classified, which was a requirement to compete at the Paralympics.
Ultimately, the country's delegation was composed of a single athlete, Hellen Saohaga (also known as Hellen Tasaunga). She was accompanied by Chef de Mission Casper Pule, team manager Falai Katalake Bare, and coach Fa'amoana Topue.{{cite web|url=http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/15649-paralympics-team-london-bound|title=Paralympics team London bound|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130105042422/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/15649-paralympics-team-london-bound|archive-date=January 5, 2013|date=August 13, 2012|access-date=August 3, 2018|work=Solomon Star}} She competed in Brisbane in an international competition during the Queensland Athletic Championships. She was given a universality spot in the Games.{{cite web|url=http://solomon-times.com/news.aspx?nwID=7209|title=Helen Proud of Her Aussie Wheels|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130202205928/http://solomon-times.com/news.aspx?nwID=7209|archive-date=February 2, 2013|work=Solomon Times}}{{cite web|url=https://www.oceaniaparalympic.org/download/clientfiles/files/Issue%204%20-%2018_08_2012.pdf|title=Cardiff Pre Games Training Camp|issue=4|publisher=Oceania Paralympic Committee|access-date=July 24, 2018|date=August 18, 2012}} She was the country's flag-bearer during the Games' opening ceremony.{{cite web|url=http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/15836-hellen-to-carry-our-flag|title=Hellen to carry our flag|archive-url=https://archive.today/20121216115618/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/15836-hellen-to-carry-our-flag|archive-date=December 16, 2012|work=Solomon Star|date=August 26, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2018}}{{cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/news/list-opening-ceremony-flag-bearers|title=List of Opening Ceremony flag bearers|date=August 29, 2012|publisher=Paralympic.org|access-date=July 2, 2018}}
Athletics
{{main|Athletics at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}}
Hellen Saohaga, born with malformed legs,{{cite web|url=https://www.thecultureconcept.com/london-2012-summer-paralympic-games-the-power-olympics|title=London 2012 Summer Paralympic Games – The Power Olympics|last1=McDowall|first1=Carolyn|publisher=The Culture Concept|access-date=July 24, 2018|date=September 10, 2012}} competed in the women's shot put, F57 category (for wheelchair athletes).{{cite web|url=http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/15782-helen-slowly-acclimatizing|title=Helen slowly acclimatizing|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120825094239/http://www.solomonstarnews.com/sports/national/15782-helen-slowly-acclimatizing |archive-date=August 25, 2012|work=Solomon Star|date=August 23, 2012|access-date=August 5, 2018}} Saohaga had never owned a seated throwing frame, and arrived at the Games without one, assuming the organizers would provide one. Once the Australian Paralympic Committee became aware of the situation, they had one specifically made for her before her event. Of the 19 competitors, Saohaga placed 15th with 298 points.{{cite web|url=https://www.paralympic.org/sdms/hira/web/results/london-2012/athletics/womens-shot-put-f57-58|title=Women's Shot Put F57/58 – Results|publisher=Paralympic.org|access-date=August 5, 2018}}
| class=wikitable |
| Athlete
!Events !Result !Points !Rank |
|---|
| Hellen Saohaga
|align="center"|5.23 |align="center"|298 |align="center"|15 |