An array of reigning Paralympic and World champions headline a formidable Australian Athletics team unveiled today by the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC).
During a pre-Paralympic Games training camp on the Gold Coast, Darren Peters, APC CEO and Chef de Mission for the 2008 Australian Paralympic Team, today announced the Athletics squad gunning for glory in Beijing this September.
Of the 47 athletes named, 20 will make their maiden appearance on the Paralympic stage while those returning already have 70 Paralympic medals to their credit from a combined total of 48 Games.
Fifteen of those Games belong to Victorians Jodi Willis-Roberts and Russell Short and Queenslander Darren Thrupp – the trio each about to embark on their sixth Paralympic Games campaign.
In a team buoyed by a classic mix of youth and experience, Mr Peters says the stage is set for Australia’s athletes to make their mark in Beijing.
“Athletics is a sport in which Australia has a high expectation at the Paralympic Games. The first Games in 1960 remains the only Paralympics in which Australia has not won a gold medal in the sport,” Mr Peters said.
“While China has become the dominant athletics nation, we are confident our athletes will do their very best against the larger teams and do Australia proud in the process.”
Among those looking to lead the way, is reigning dual Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley. The 27-year-old will attempt to defend his 5000m and marathon Paralympic titles after a stellar 2007 that saw him win 10 of 11 major marathons on five continents.
Nine-time Paralympic gold medalist Tim Sullivan is another experienced campaigner looking to make history while ACT athletes Christine Wolf and Evan O’Hanlon help form part of the new and exciting talent pool. Both are current world-record holders attending their first Paralympic Games.
“Everything this team has achieved in the past, that’s history now … we are all about Beijing,” said Scott Goodman, Australian Paralympic Athletics Team head coach.
“It’s our goal to have the best away Games we have ever had and I think we’re on track to do that. We have established athletes mixed with an excellent group of young athletes and we’re excited to see them all in action.”
While Australia will take an Athletics team of 48 athletes to Beijing – the final position is the subject of an appeal currently underway.
The team is:
MEN
Damien Bowen (ACT)
Class: F34
Past Games: First Games
Matthew Cameron (QLD)
Class: T54
Past Games: First Games
Aaron Chatman - ACT
Class: T46 and F46
Past Games: First Games
Richard Colman - VIC
Class: T54
Past Games: 2004 (1 Gold & 1 Silver)
Roy Daniell – ACT
Class: T12
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (1 Silver & 1 Bronze)
Rodney Farr - SA
Class: F52
Past Games: 2004
Kurt Fearnley - NSW
Class: T54
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (2 Gold & 3 Silver)
Heath Francis - ACT
Class: T46
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (3 Gold, 4 Silver & 2 Bronze)
Gerrard Gosens - QLD
Class: T11
Past Games: 1996 (in Goalball) & 2000 (in athletics)
Greg Hibberd - ACT
Class: F34
Past Games: First Games
Hamish McDonald - ACT
Class: F34
Past Games: 1996, 2000 & 2004 (1 Gold & 1 Silver)
Wade McMahon - ACT
Class: F37
Past Games: First Games
Christopher Mullins - VIC
Class: T38
Past Games: First Games
Richard Nicholson - ACT
Class: T54
Past Games: 2000 (Powerlifting - Silver) & 2004 (Athletics - Silver)
Evan O’Hanlon - ACT
Class: T38
Past Games: First Games
Paul Raison - QLD
Class: F44
Past Games: First Games
Michael Roeger - SA
Class: T46
Past Games: First Games
Brad Scott - ACT
Class: T37
Past Games: First Games
Russell Short - VIC
Class: F12
Past Games: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 & 2004 (6 Gold, 2 Silver & 3 Bronze)
Ian Speed - VIC
Class: T12
Past Games: First Games
Tim Sullivan - VIC
Class: T38
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (9 Gold)
Darren Thrupp - QLD
Class: T37 & F37
Past Games: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 & 2004 (5 Gold & 3 Bronze)
Stephen Wilson - QLD
Class: T44
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (2 Gold, 1 Silver & 1 Bronze)
NOTE: One final men’s slot to be selected after appeals are completed.
WOMEN
Angela Ballard - NSW
Class: T53
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (1 Bronze)
Carlee Beattie - QLD
Class: T46 & F46
Past Games: First Games
Jennifer Bryce - ACT
Class: F57
Past Games: First Games
Gemma Buchholz - QLD
Class: T52
Past Games: 2004
Kelly Cartwright - VIC
Class: T42
Past Games: First Games
Christie Dawes - NSW
Class: T54
Past Games: 1996, 2000 & 2004
Madison De Rozario - WA
Class: T54
Past Games: First Games
Louise Ellery - ACT
Class: F32
Past Games: 2004
Amanda Fraser - ACT
Class: F37
Past Games: 2000 (Swimming – 2 Bronze) & 2004 (Athletics - Silver)
Jessica Gallagher - VIC
Class: T13 & F13
Past Games: First Games
Courtney Harbeck - QLD
Class: T13
Past Games: First Games
Madeline Hogan - VIC
Class: F46
Past Games: First Games
Kirrilee McPherson - SA
Class: T38
Past Games: First Games
Elizabeth McIntosh - VIC
Class: T37
Past Games: 2000 & 2004 (3 Gold, 1 Silver & 1 Bronze)
Brydee Moore - VIC
Class: F33
Past Games: First Games
Jemima Moore - VIC
Class: T54
Past Games: First Games
Kathryn Parrish - SA
Class: T38
Past Games: First Games
Katherine Proudfoot - NSW
Class: T36 & F36
Past Games: First Games
Tahlia Rotumah - NSW
Class: T37
Past Games: First Games
Charlotte Saville - VIC
Class: T37 & F37
Past Games: First Games
Julie Smith - QLD
Class: T46
Past Games: First Games
Noni Thompson - VIC
Class: F36
Past Games: First Games
Jodi Willis-Roberts - VIC
Class: T38
Past Games: 1988, 1992, 1996, 2000 & 2004 (2 Gold, 2 Silver & 2 Bronze)
Christine Wolf - ACT
Class: T42 & F42
Past Games: 2004 (1 Silver competing for Germany)