Solomon Islands’ Paralympian, Rodney Konai, is set to represent the country as the only Pacific Islander at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Fourth Athletes’ Forum in Germany this week, joining athlete representatives from across the global Paralympic Movement.
The forum, scheduled from 24–26 June 2025, will be held across Bonn and Duisburg, with day one hosted at the IPC’s new headquarters in Bonn, coinciding with the official inauguration of the IPC Campus, one of the most accessible office spaces in Germany. Days two and three will take place at the historic Sportschule Wedau in Duisburg, the site of the inaugural IPC Athletes’ Forum in 2017.
For Rodney, 30, the invitation is not only a personal milestone but also a proud moment for Guadalcanal Province and the Solomon Islands’ growing Paralympic community.
“This is a chance to learn, connect, and bring our voices to the table, at the highest level” he said before departing. “I want to represent those who still feel invisible, those with disabilities in rural areas who haven’t yet had the chance, and remind them that they can be part of our Paralympic community.”
Hailing from Mataruka Village on the southern remote Weathercoast of Guadalcanal, Rodney’s journey is of resilience, endurance, and hope. Diagnosed with a rare developmental deformity affecting both legs at a young age, he faced tremendous odds growing up.
As a child displaced by civil conflict in 2002, he endured a three-day journey across Guadalcanal’s rugged terrain to safety in Titinge near Honiara. Despite years of bullying and lack of access to inclusive education, Rodney persisted. He completed basic vocational training, joined the Youth@Work program, and eventually found his calling in Paralympic sports.
Since joining the Solomon Islands National Paralympic Executive Committee, Rodney has trained in powerlifting, javelin, discus, and shot-put, and represented the country in international competitions, including a major event in Queensland, Australia and Thailand last year. He continues to advocate for better inclusion and support for people with disabilities through sport.
“This forum is not just about me,” he said. “It’s about all the others back home who are waiting for someone to say, ‘You can do it.’”
The IPC Athletes’ Forum will feature sessions on athlete welfare, governance, career development, and mental health. It will also allow athlete leaders to shape future priorities for the Paralympic movement and strengthen the global network of Paralympian representatives.
Rodney left the country for Bonn, Germany on Sunday, traveling via Brisbane, Australia and Doha, Qatar. He is expected to return next week.
GP Media understands that Rodney was fortunate to depart from Qatar Airport just hours before the closure of Qatar’s airspace ahead of Iran’s attack on U.S military bases in Qatar and Iraq on Monday night.
