The Vanuatu Paralympic team is only two members strong but they are hoping to leave a lasting impression in Paris, not least for the immigration officers who had to Google if their country was real.
Shot putter Elie Enock and javelin thrower Ken Kahu arrived in the French capital late last week and their first task was to explain to French customs officials that Vanuatu wasn't a made-up nation.
"When we arrived at the airport one of the staff there looked at his colleague and said, 'Where is Vanuatu?' and he had to go and Google it," Enock told AAP.
"(The irony is) Vanuatu is bi-lingual in French and English too.
"Most people think we are Africans because of our skin colour.
"We have to tell people we are from Vanuatu, when you tell people we are close to Fiji and Australia and then they start to understand.
"Vanuatu is just a small dot on the map but we are proud to compete hard so people will recognise us."
Enock lost her left leg in a car crash 14 years ago will compete in the F57 classification.
She finished sixth in the same event at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The 35-year-old lives in the western Victorian country town of Stawell - much better known in athletics circles as the home of the storied Stawell Gift handicap race.
"I'm working at one of the abattoirs of Thomas International Foods, they employed me and they have really helped me with my training," Enock said.
"They even built a small field for me at the back (of the factory) so I could practise and do my training.
"They have been massive supporters of me and they have really helped me with sponsorship."
