Sport Inclusion Australia acknowledges International Day of People with a Disability and acknowledges the theme for 2021 which is ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.

With more than 4.4 million Australians living with a disability, today is an opportunity to focus on the work of those who strive to make a more inclusive, understanding and supportive society.

Sport plays an integral role in developing a more inclusive society, it can provide the platform to showcase ability and develop understanding.  As we move into a post-covid-19 world, sport can once again take leadership in this area helping athletes reconnect to their community and all the health benefits that come with it.  For many people living with a disability fear of Covid-19 has seen a decline in their physical and mental health as they isolate to stay safe and watch sporting event after sporting event be cancelled.  As vaccination rates increase and restrictions are removed we can now start to focus on getting back into sport and planning for events and re-engaging with the community.

Sport Inclusion Australia looks forward to watching the athletes back in action and applauds the sports that have worked hard throughout Covid to provide competition and support.  It is exciting to see events on the horizon and watching the athletes start to take centre stage again.

One athlete who has wasted no time getting back into action is South Australia’s Hugo Taheny.

In 2019 Hugo represented Australia at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in the new II-2 class winning a Gold medal in the Discus and Silver in the shot put.  In 2020 Athletics Australia also introduced the new class which provided a fairer competition for athletes with Down syndrome.  At the National Championships in April this year Hugo won his first National title the Open Men’s Ambulant Discus and a Silver the ambulant Shot put.

Like most athletes Hugo’s journey has been disrupted by Covid-19 with lockdowns, restrictions and earlier this year Hugo had an adverse reactions to his vaccinations resulting in trips to hospital.  Thankfully for Hugo he has recovered and his desire to get back into competition has helped him to focus away from Covid-19 and given him something to look forward to.  Hugo’s success in Athletics has been rapid and a result of hard work, good coaching (Thank you Steve Larsson) and great family and community support.

Hugo lives in regional South Australia, competition days start with a 4+ hour drive to Adelaide and finish with another 4+ hour drive home.  On the 6^th of November 2021 that drive home was a lot more enjoyable than most.  Hugo started the day as Australia’s leading F21 Shot putter and Discus thrower, but by the end of the day Hugo had become the World’s best F21 Discus thrower having thrown the discus 31.33m.  Three weeks later he added the Australian and Oceania records for Shot put to his growing list of achievements.

Away from the track Hugo is a Down Syndrome Australia Health Ambassador.  As a Health Ambassador Hugo’s role is to increase public awareness and understanding of people with Down syndrome.

On a day that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance of people with disability and celebrate their achievements and contributions its hard to go past Hugo Taheny.  Hugo’s epitomises the theme for 2021 ‘Leadership and participation of persons with disabilities toward an inclusive, accessible and sustainable post-COVID-19 world’.  

Congratulations Hugo and thank you to all who work to support athletes like Hugo across all sports and communities.

“Happy International Day of People with a Disability.”

Contacts

• Robyn Smith, CEO Sport Inclusion Australia. 0418 979 459
• Hugo Taheny, via Sport Inclusion Australia, sport@siasport.org or  0414 733 339

The inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 in Brisbane is just one year away and has received welcomed support from all levels of Australian government.

OAGames 2022 is the inaugural event in the Virtus Asia and Oceania region for athletes with intellectual impairment. The Games will invite 1000 plus athletes and officials from NZ, Asia, and Pacific to compete against Australia’s elite athletes.

Federal Minister for Sport, Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck said Australia has an enviable reputation for its ability to hold world class international sporting events.

“It is time to get back into the pools, the field, the track and the arena and celebrate all that is inspiring about being a top athlete for your country,” Senator Colbeck said.

“The Australian Government has a deep commitment to ensure sport is accessible for people of all abilities and is pleased to support the hosting of the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022”.

The OAGames2022 will be in Brisbane, in a multi-sport event format from 5 to 12 November 2022.

Virtus Vice President, Robyn Smith; CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA), said that as an organisation with 35 years of inclusive sport experience, she is looking to reignite the successes from Global Games 2019 in Brisbane, with the experienced team to lead the delivery of this event in 2022.

“It is a follow-on legacy from Global Games 2019 and the Virtus Oceania Asia Games, #OAGames2022, will be a celebration of sport and cultural diversity,” Ms Smith said.

“There is much excitement about seeing athletes come back again, to represent their countries and compete for medals and achieve personal best performances.”

Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland Government is proud to support the Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022.

“These Games are an opportunity to celebrate diversity and inclusion, which are valuable threads running through the fabric of Queensland’s communities,” said the Premier.

“Sport Inclusion Australia’s (SIA) hosting of the event sends a strong message that sport is for everyone.”

“Under the banner of ‘Leave No One Behind’, athletes with an intellectual disability train to a high level, hone their skills and compete with the same passion as any professional athlete.”

“Athletics, swimming and table tennis will be Paralympic pathway events – for athletes with the potential to win medals at Paralympic competitions.”

“Events will be staged at a range of venues across Brisbane including the Queensland Sports and Athletics Centre, Brisbane Aquatic Centre, Nissan Arena and Anna Meares Velodrome.”

“This is another opportunity for Queensland to host a major multi-sport event prior to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Whilst the final sport program is being finalised these following sports will form part of the program: Athletics, Basketball, Cycling, Rowing, Swimming, Table Tennis and Tennis.

Additional Sports will be considered as a result of consultation with Virtus Nation Members and interested Pacific Nations in the coming months and next month another key announcement is planned for the incorporation of World Para-Sailing Championships as part of the OAGames 2022 Sport Program.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane was the ideal city to play host to the Virtus Oceania Asia Games, with an excellent year-round climate as well as friendly and inclusive residents.

“Brisbane already has a reputation for being an amazing place to visit and host major events because of our great hotels, cafes and restaurants and experiences along with world-class facilities” Cr Schrinner said.

“I look forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, officials, families and friends, as we celebrate the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane in November next year.

“We look forward to working in partnership with Sport Inclusion Australia, Virtus and the International Paralympic Committee to bring other events for athletes with impairment to Brisbane over the next decade as we continue our journey towards the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

Virtus Oceania Asia Games 2022 invites governments, sporting organisation and corporate partners who believe in this vision to be part of this movement. A movement of Sport for Humanity and a great way start the journey to 2032.

Key statistics:

• 2-3% of the world population live with an intellectual impairment.
• 178-256 MILLION is the estimated number of people with an intellectual impairment in the world.
  *Source: WHO Report on Disability 2011
• It is the largest impairment group. For most it is a non-visible impairment.
• Sport provides connection to community and provides meaning and purpose. Active engagement in Sport has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the individual and supports our commitment to advancing many of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

 

For more information visit oagames2022.org and follow @virtus.sport | @SportIncAus to stay updated on #OAGames2022

The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) has welcomed the historic announcement overnight by the International Olympic Committee that Brisbane, South East Queensland has been awarded the hosting rights of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

ASAPD Chair Robyn Smith said “Many of us were there to witness the powerful impact of the landmark Sydney 2000 Paralympics and the legacy opportunities for people with a disability in sport which continue to this day.

“The event captured the attention and admiration of the Australian public and inspired a generation of people to get involved with sport for people with a disability and helped to change perceptions about what people with disability, impairment or limitation can achieve. It also set new standards in areas such as ticketing, sponsorship, media and transport.

“An 11-year runway into the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games provides a great opportunity to showcase sport for people with a disability and help set new standards for inclusion, accessibility and equality,” she said.

The Alliance congratulates all of the parties involved who have worked so hard to put forward such a strong, and ultimately successful, bid to the IOC. We look forward to working with Paralympics Australia, Australian Olympic Committee, Federal Government, Queensland Government, Brisbane City Council and the other local governments in South East Queensland, in helping to achieve positive outcomes for people with a disability in the lead-up to the Games and in the post-Games legacy activities.

ASAPD Deputy Chair Phil Harper said “We believe participation in sport provides positive social and physical benefits to people with a disability, and plays an important role in changing community perceptions, stereotypes and biases around disability.

“The Paralympics and other major disability sporting events can leave a tremendous sporting legacy. But what makes them unique is these events can have positive social and participatory outcomes directly for those with a disability, as well as on broader community perceptions. We look forward to working with the Games partners to make this legacy effective and lasting.”

Since 2019, the nine members of the ASAPD have been collectively creating opportunities in sport and physical activity for people with a disability. This announcement will provide excitement and impetus for our organisations and members to continue our work to create greater awareness among people with a disability to participate in sport and physical activity; and influence governments and Australian sporting organisations to better provide for access and participation in their sport so they are welcoming and inclusive environments for all.

NOTE: The ASAPD represents nine national disability sport organisation’s (NSOD’s) as the key peak agency for sport and physical activity for people with a disability. The NSOD’s involved represent lead organisations whose participant numbers, members and volunteers involve millions of people across Australia and include: Blind Sports Australia, Deaf Sports Australia, Disability Sports Australia, Disabled Wintersports Australia, Paralympics Australia, Riding for the Disabled Association Australia, Special Olympics Australia, Sport Inclusion Australia & Transplant Australia.

 

Contact:

ASAPD Chair
Robyn Smith
robyn.smith@siasport.org
+61 (0) 418 979 459

Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA) is proud to launch the “Leave No One Behind” project – a bilateral program  funded by the Australia-Japan Foundation (AJF) and the Australian Government.

Leave No One Behind (Dare mo okizari ni shinai), is a one-year project in collaboration with All Nippon Intellectual Disability Sports Association (ANISA).  The collaboration will see SIA and ANISA co-design a program to ensure that  targeted participants with an intellectual impairment have access to sport opportunities in Japan, Australia and Internationally.

SIA and ANISA have a strong relationship and a common focus of enabling sport as a pathway for athletes with intellectual impairment. SIA will leverage its years of experience and extensive knowledge in inclusive sport, to develop resources to assist people in Japan,  specifically people who are currently marginalised and not able to access sporting opportunities.

Some of the work already underway, includes educational resources to help build the capacity of administrators, teachers, coaches, and psychologists, to assist people with an intellectual impairment  access and participate in sport.

Ms Robyn Smith, CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia said, with the support of the Australia-Japan Foundation, Japanese and Australian governments and ANISA, the work SIA has been delivering for 35 years, can transcend to Asia and Oceania based nations fostering a stronger and more unified community of organisations advocating for inclusive sport.

“We’ve never wavered from our philosophy of promoting sporting opportunities for people with an impairment in mainstream settings, with sport owning and delivering sport for all Australians at the appropriate ability level with a ‘person first’ approach”, Ms Smith said.
“We are proud of our Australian legacy in inclusive sport, and I am especially excited to share our expertise with Japan and maybe in the future more Asia Oceania neighbours.”

“Government support is critical to the success of projects like Leave No One Behind that benefits sport and people with intellectual impairment to enhance economic, social and health benefits for Australia and Japan.”

The Leave No One Behind project, whilst having a foundation in sport, has at its core, the importance of inclusion and access to sporting pathways as a human right for all global citizens because it is aimed equally at men and women with an intellectual impairment, so it is totally inclusive and diverse by design.

Mr Toshiyuki Saito from ANISA said the benefits of this project which dedicates a focus on sport and ability will help to build awareness of how sport can change the life of a person with an intellectual impairment.

“Sport plays a critical role in ensuring health and wellbeing, making individuals feel valued and have a meaningful place in the community.” Mr Saito said.

In November 2022, SIA are hosting the inaugural Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane.  It is hoped the collaboration on this project, and the relationship grown between Australia and Japan will strengthen competition between the two countries as well as building understanding.

For more information contact
Robyn Smith, CEO, Sport Inclusion Australia
robyn.smith@siasport.org
0418 979 459

About Sport Inclusion Australia (SIA)
Sport Inclusion Australia, formerly AUSRAPID, is a national sporting organisation established in 1986 to assist the inclusion of people with an intellectual impairment into the mainstream community using sport as the medium. Sport Inclusion Australia has worked within the Australian sporting sector with outstanding success and is proud of the increasing numbers of sporting organisations and clubs taking responsibility for inclusion with the focus on ability and based on social inclusion principles. https://sportinclusionaustralia.org.au

About All Nippon Intellectual Disability Sport Association (ANISA)
ANiSA aims to communicate and coordinate with sports organizations and related organizations for children and persons with intellectual disabilities in Japan, and to promote and promote exercise and sports for children and persons with intellectual disabilities.
ANiSA creates an environment for improving competitiveness, collecting and disseminating various information related to domestic and overseas athletic sports, training leaders, holding seminars and workshops, athletes and officers at international competitions. ANiSA was established for the purpose of promoting and developing appropriate programs and research for people with severe or multiple disabilities. https://anisa.or.jp

Creating broader opportunities for swimmers with Down syndrome in Australia is set to grow under the guidance of Sport Inclusion Australia, who for 35 years have committed to sport inclusion for all.

Down Syndrome Swimming Australia (DSSA) announced to members the organisation’s transition to Sports Inclusion Australia (SIA), and it comes at a time when many of Australia’s National and State Sport Organisations are opening up to collaborate to ensure sport is delivered in an inclusive environment.

This is a result of the recent establishment of the new Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD), which is supported and funded by Sport Australia. The Alliance members are driven by a shared purpose to collaborate, advocate and facilitate inclusive sport and physical activity for people with a disability.

To ensure the success of the DSSA transition to Sport Inclusion Australia, a committee is formed with representatives of the previous DSSA board, Swimming Australia, Down Syndrome Australia and SIA staff.  A key objective of the committee is to build inclusive initiatives with the aim to have more people with Down syndrome participating in sport.

“We are excited to see the development of these partnerships within sport working towards building a more inclusive society and importantly the participation of people with Down syndrome.  Down Syndrome Australia is pleased to play its part in promoting these opportunities and inclusive messages through our networks.” Angus Graham Chair Down Syndrome Australia.

In 2017, SIA’s international partner Virtus, the International Sport Federation for Athletes with an Intellectual Impairment, introduced two new groups for athletes with Autism (II-3) and for athletes with additional physical conditions (II-2) The II-2 group has a focus on athletes with Down syndrome.   The introduction of this pathway in Virtus provides an additional international pathway for swimmers with Down syndrome.  A highlight of this initial work was the participation and success of swimmers with Down syndrome at the 2019 Global Games in Brisbane.

DSSA was formed in 2007 to promote the participation of people with Down syndrome in swimming providing a pathway to National and International competition.  Working collaboratively with SIA since its inception DSSA has facilitated the growth of Australian swimmers with Down syndrome on to the international stage where they have been recognised as the Champion Male and Female athletes and Champion team at World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships since 2004.

DSSA conducted its first National Championship in 2011 and this event continues to be conducted every 2 years with increased participation.

“DSSA’s achievements in such a short period of time have been amazing, our swimmers established themselves as the world’s best on numerous occasions. In 2019 they were an integral part of the success of the Australian team competing at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane.  We look forward to building on these achievements and working with our partners, Swimming Australia, Down Syndrome Queensland, Down Syndrome Australia and School Sport to build the capacity and participation of swimmers with Down syndrome across all levels,” said Robyn Smith, CEO Sport inclusion Australia.

Sport Inclusion Australia has a vision that ‘sport owns sport for all Australians’ and that the local club being the foundation for sport to build social inclusion and connectiveness in the community.

This week the committee have announced a series of swim clinics to be held in Queensland through July August and September.

 

Contacts

Robyn Smith: robyn.smith@siasport.org
CEO Sport Inclusion Australia

DSSA swimming clinics: dssa.org@gmail.com

The Commonwealth Games Federation this week announced the full list of medal events for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games. Included in that list are three events for athletes with an intellectual disability, the S14 200m freestyle for men and women and a mixed relay.

The previous Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in 2018 were lauded as the most gender equal multi-sports event in history. An amazing goal which Games organisers did achieve. It was also an amazing inclusive event with a large number of  events for athletes with a disability.

Unfortunately for female swimmers with an intellectual disability, the Games did not feel equal or inclusive with the sole event for athletes with an intellectual disability being for men only.

This inequality wasn’t lost on Commonwealth Games Federation President Dame Louise Martin DBE either.

Sport Inclusion Australia CEO, Robyn Smith was fortunate to meet Martin on two occasions, once at a forum during the Games and then again at Sport Acord Summit held on the Gold Coast in May 2019. Martin was aware of the inequality, stating she personally awarded the medal to the Men’s 200m S14 Freestyle event at the Games and questioned where the women were and gave an assurance that this would be rectified.

“I was fortunate to meet with Louise at a forum on the Gold Coast during the Games where I raised the issue and then again at Sport Accord Summit 18 months later, we discussed a range of topics and I applauded Louise and the Commonwealth Games Federation for the amazing work to make this Games gender equal and the wonderful inclusion of events for athletes with a disability.  I was able to point out to Louise that even though there was an overall gender balance, that sadly this was not the case for athletes with an intellectual disability.  To my surprise Louise was aware of the inequality and gave me her word that this would be rectified at the next Games.” Smith said

Martin was true to her word as this week’s announcement of events for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games includes event for male and female S14 swimmers.

Smith who is also Vice President of the International organisation Virtus is keen to see developments across all sports and competitions,  “we would like to see events added in Athletics and Table Tennis in the future along with the other events for athletes with an intellectual disability, but this inclusion is a positive move by the Commonwealth Games Federation “ Smith said.

The Games will be held in Birmingham England from 28 July to 8 August 2022, 4 months prior to the Virtus Oceania Asia Games in Brisbane in November.

 

Contact: Robyn Smith (CEO Sport Inclusion Australia) 0418 979 459.  Robyn.smith@siasport.org

Australia’s top cyclists will return to the road for the 2021 Federation University Road Championships this week in Ballarat.  The week of cycling will see a series of events for the elite to the community riders in a festival of cycling starting Wednesday 3 February and concluding on Sunday 7 February with the Men and Women’s Elite races.

Included in the Championship program for the second year will be the Time trial and Road race National Championships for cyclists with an intellectual disability.

2020 Champions Nathan Broeren (Men’s Time Trial), Andre Ascui (Men’s Road race) and Georgia Powning will all be back in action to defnd their titles.

Broeren has represented Australia at three Virtus Global Games winning medals on all occasions, in December he competed at the Australian track Championships in Brisbane winning several track titles.  This year he will see some additional competition from fellow Australian representative Nathan Glarvey, 2020 Silver medallist Harry Mezger, Ascui and several younger riders who are making their debut in Ballarat.  Broeren, Glarvey, Ascui and Powning will compete in both the time trial and road race this week.

A talented athlete and cyclist, Powning has represented Australia in cycling and athletics.  In 2019 she won a Bronze medal in women’s 3000m at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Athletics and then moved from the Athletics track to the cycling track competing all track events.

Powning and Turner are expected to battle it out for the gold medal in Saturdays road race over 30.6km and Thursday’s time trial over 11.9km, but will be need to be on their guard particularly in the time trial with last year’s Bronze medallist Montana Whitely and National Track Champion Molly Thatcher in the mix.

The men’s time trial will see last years medallists (Broeren, Mezger and Ascui) keen to defend their titles, but this year they will have added competition from Nathan Glarvey and the 18 year olds Cameron Marshall and Jack Stobie all of whom are making their debut at the Championships.   Glarvey got the better of Broeren in the time trial event at the 2019 Virtus Global Games in Brisbane and the two have had some very close races together on the track.  Marshall an Australian representative at the 2019 Virtus Global Games and Stobie have just turned 18 making them eligible for their first Road Nationals.  Both have shown outstanding form in training and will relish the hilly course.

The 40.8km road race on Saturday will possibly be the most exciting and hardest to predict.  Broeren missed the road race in 2020, but on form he is expected to be among the medallists.  Defending Champion Ascui will be keen to defend his title as will 2020 medallists Carlo Manolitsas and Monty Cooper, throw in the youngsters Marshall and Stobie and Townsville’s David Frazer we are set for an exciting race.

Frazer is the unknown cyclists in the field, in 2005 he represented Australia at the Virtus Athletics World Championships in Canberra, he retired from athletics in 2010 and has since focussed on his riding.  Originally from Ballarat Frazer is very familiar with the course having lived in Ballarat and ridden the course on numerous occasions in training rides.   Now a keen cyclist he has travelled to Ballarat with his Townsville cycling club and will ride the Para road race on Saturday as well as the Men’s elite 185.6km race

 

Events:

• Time Trial:          Men and Women 11.9kms, Thursday 4 February commencing at 10:00am
• Road Race:         Men 40.8km (4 laps), Women 30.6km (3 laps), Saturday 6 February 07:30am

More Information:

• AusCycling:        Home Page – Road Nationals
• SIA:                      Robyn Smith, robyn.smith@siasport.org, 0418 979 459
• Athletes:             via Michael Thomson, michael.thomson@siasport.org, 0414 733 339

The Australian Sporting Alliance for People with a Disability (ASAPD) acknowledges International Day of People with a Disability (IDPwD) and supports its aim to promote greater understanding of disability issues and mobilise support for the dignity, rights and well-being of those with a disability, impairment or limitation.

 

The Alliance brings together Australia’s nine National Sporting Organisations for people with a disability, all of whom share a common purpose to improve the lives of Australians living with a disability using sport as the medium. 

 

“Each member of the Alliance already has a strong foundation, a wealth of knowledge and experience that supports resources and programs that are delivered to sports, schools and recreation and fitness industries throughout Australia. This collaboration will add a new layer of empowerment and direction for the people they support,” said newly-appointed Alliance Chair, Robyn Smith (who is CEO of Sport Inclusion Australia).

 

Initiated in partnership with Sport Australia, the Alliance has already achieved significant success having lodged a joint submission to the National Disability Strategy to ensure that sport is included in the next 10-year plan.  

 

“We have already seen the power of the nine national organisations working together as a collective with the submission to the National Disability Strategy and the Alliance looks forward to continuing to work with Australian sport to build their capacity to be inclusive of all Australians,” said Alliance Vice Chair, Phil Harper (who is Deaf Sports Australia’s General Manager).

 

The Alliance has already established four key groups to take their work forward, including: Government and Advocacy; Shared Services and Collaboration; Participation and Pathways; and Research and Innovation. A new Project Manager will be employed in the new year to co-ordinate the work of these groups and to enhance the Alliance’s impact and shared resources and efficiencies.

 

Alliance member John Croll (Chair of Disability Sport Australia) said it is apt that the theme for IDPwD 2020 is ‘Building Back Better: toward a disability-inclusive, accessible and sustainable post COVID-19 World’.

 

“The role of sport in building community, social inclusion and connection has never been more important, particularly for people with a disability. A key initiative of the Alliance will be researching the economic and social value of sport and participation for all people with a disability,” he said.

 

Another Alliance member, Lynne Anderson (CEO of Paralympics Australia) said: “It is incredible to see how far this initiative has come and what it has achieved in such a short space of time in developing a strong and unified collective for the sector”.

 

The nine National Sporting Organisations for people with a disability who have formed the Alliance are:

 

• Blind Sports Australia
• Deaf Sports Australia
• Disability Sports Australia
• Disabled Winter Sports Australia
• Riding for the Disabled
• Special Olympics Australia
• Sport Inclusion Australia
• Paralympics Australia
• Transplant Australia

 

For interviews contact: Alliance Chair, Robyn Smith on 0418 979 459

The Sydney Olympics may have had the air guitar playing Australian 4 x 100m freestyle relay team, but the Sydney 2000 Paralympics had the awesome amigo’s.

Brett Reid, Paul Cross, Patrick Donachie and Stewart Pike represented Australia at the 2000 Paralympics in swimming.  Paul and Brett were the experienced members of the team, they competed at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympics and 1998 IPC Swimming World Championships in Christchurch.  For Stewart and Patrick, it would be their first major international experience wearing the Green and Gold.

The four swimmers, from very different backgrounds, all came together for the first time in Sydney.

Growing up in a swimming family it wasn’t surprising to see Brett in the pool from an early age with his mother as his coach, his first Nationals were in Perth in 1993.  That same year Paul Cross took up swimming and the following year he too was competing at Nationals.  In 1996, they travelled to Atlanta together for the 1996 Paralympics and then Christchurch for the 1998 IPC World Championships.

Around that time a rather energetic and adventurous Stewart Pike was encouraged to take up a less dangerous sport by his parents.  Thankfully for Stewart he chose swimming, his first competition was the 1996 Pacific School Games in Perth where he met Paul.   While Paul was off to the Paralympics, Stewart was slowly making a name for himself and breaking Paul’s National age records.

Patrick on the other hand had been in the pool through all of this, he started early with learn to swim classes, progressed through stroke correction, club and squad training.  In 1995, he competed in his first multi class event and in 1996 progressed to the state championships.

1998 was the turning point for these swimmers, Stewart had joined Paul and Brett as a member of the Australian swim team the Dolphins, he travelled to England and competed in his first international swim meet.

Patrick was just hearing about the Paralympics and the fact that he could be part of it.  He had a choice to make, was he going to take up swimming or Tennis.  The lure of the Paralympics was too much and swimming won out.  Patrick’s first Nationals were in 1999, it was his first real test and chance to impress selectors.

Paul, Stewart and Brett had established themselves and had the making of a competitive relay team for the Paralympics, but a fourth swimmer was needed.  Thank fully for the young 17 year old from Campbelltown selectors looked his way.

The Netherlands were the World record holders and favourites, but this team was determined to take their crown.  “We had to do it for our families and everyone that has supported us and had faith in us” they said.  They were prepared to leave no stone unturned or let any hair follicle get in the way.

Day 5 of the Games (23 October) started like all others, then the news broke that the team from the Netherlands had not checked in and were out of the relay.  This didn’t unsettle the relay team, they were ready whether the World Record holders were there or not, and they still had a surprise for their opponents, coaches and families.

Earlier that day, all four swimmers had shaven their heads.  The freshly shaven scalps signalled to the world that this team meant business and were going to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of Paralympic Glory.

Brett got the team off to a great start, they were in third place less than a length behind Great Britain and Russia as he changed over to Paul.  The team from Great Britain were out in front but Paul was focussed and the Aussies were coming, a great turn at 50 saw Paul move alongside the Russian swimmer and a strong finish we were a clear second and within half a body length of first.  Paul changed to Patrick who soon moved the team alongside the team from Great Britain and as he turned for home the Australian’s were in the lead.  Stewart entered the pool in first place and extended the lead anchoring the Australian team to a Gold medal and a World record.

It was a special moment for the four young men.  It was the first time Paul’s father had seen him swim, he sadly passed away 2 months later.

“We were a team and no way we would have broken the record if we weren’t.”  Paul said.

Paul now lives on the Gold Coast and is heavily involved with local football.

“Brett Reid, Paul Cross, Stewart Pike and myself created the most memorable win of our lives that I assure has gone down in Australian history. I remember that year, the race and the marvellous Games that was the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. It did give me a platform of many successes in and out of swimming in Australia and around the world after the Games had finished. “ Patrick said

Brett Reid continued swimming and retired after the 2004 Virtus World Championships. Swimming still plays a big part in Brett’s life as he works at the Melbourne Sports and Aquatic Centre.

While Stewart retired not long after the Games, the impact the Games and lessons learnt from swimming  has had a profound impact.  “I was picked on a bit by my mates as they couldn’t see my disability, Swimming wasn’t my choice it was my saviour – it has changed my life. I am not the joker I used to be I am now more responsible, married, a devoted father of two children and working two jobs.” Stewart said.

Looking back the 4 swimmers shared many memories of the Games, the friendships, food, Bruce the Moose And importantly the respect.  “We were all members of the Dolphins,  we were athletes not people with a disability, recognised amongst the best Olympians, Paralympians and world record holders, it  was amazing feeling” they said.

Now living in Queensland, Stewart enjoys discussing his past achievements with another Australian swimming legend and fellow Dolphin – Tracy Wickham who just happens to live next door.

Brett Reid, Paul Cross, Patrick Donachie and Stewart Pike, shared a special moment during the Sydney 2000 Paralympics that has bonded these 4 swimmers together as friends (Amigo’s) for life.  Wherever their lives take them they will always be connected by that Gold medal and World record breaking performance.  The Awesome Amigo’s.

Athletics was the biggest sport at Sydney 2000 Paralympics and the largest component of the Australian team with 70 athletes, of which 11 athletes had an intellectual disability.

Australia finished on top of the Athletics medal tally with 35 Gold, 15 Silver and 16 Bronze medals.

Our star of the track was clearly Lisa Llorens with 3 Gold (200m, long jump and high jump) and one Silver (100m) medal.  Lisa was the fourth highest medal tally by an Australian at the Games behind Siobhan Paton (6 Gold), Tim Sullivan (5 Gold), Neil Fuller (4 Gold and 1 Bronze).

Lisa entered the Games as the World record holder in all of her events.  Lisa dominated the 200m and long jump events breaking the World record 3 times in the long jump final.  In the High jump it was the narrowest of victories – 1cm and in the 100m it was down to the thousands of a second.

Our 2 other gold medals came from Paul Mitchell in the 1500m and Anton Flavel in the Javelin.

Mitchell also the World record holder led his race from the start finishing 6 seconds clear in a time just outside his World record.

Flavel threw 52.50m to win the Javelin by 2 metres from Mexico’s Jesus Lucero.

The Athletics competition started on Day 2 Friday 20 October and concluded on the last day Sunday 29 October.  While it is traditional at some Games to have the marathon as the last event, suchj was the enormity of the athletics program that field events were also conducted on the last day.  Three athletes Norma Koplick, Madeleine Ehlers and Tanya Krome all competing. Krome was the best placed Australian in 4^th place with Koplick 6^th and Ehlers 7^th.  All three also competed in the Javelin where Koplick collected a Silver medal

Sharon Rackham collected a Silver medal in the women’s 200m to add to the Gold medals she won at the 1996 Paralympics 1998 IPC World Championships.

Andrew Newell was our only other multiple medallist collecting 2 Bronze medals in the 100m and 400m events.

Sixteen year old Murray Goldfinch, one of the tallest athletes in the team collected a Bronze in the men’s shot put.  Goldfinch would go on to win several World Championships and set the World record for the shotput.

Patricia Flavel (Whittaker) collected a Bronze in the women’s 800m.

Dean Turner competed in the 100m and Long jump events reaching the final of both.

Australia lead the world in Athletics, and while it was largely seen through the athletes performances, it was also a credit to the High Performance program and coaching staff that guided and coached the  athletes to this level.

Many athletes talk about the Sydney Paralympics as being the meet where they felt equal with the more fancied and higher profiled Olympians.  But for the Australians, they had been treated this way by these coaches and a high performance program that looked on them as elite athletes, not athletes with a disability.

The legacy of this period and these athletes and coaches is seen in the list of athletes that still today hold Australian records.

 

Lisa Llorens      100m                  12.44
200m                 25.01    (Current Virtus World Record)
Long Jump        5.43m
High jump         1.55m

Paul Mitchell     800m                 1:54.70
1500m               3:56.00
5000m              15:04.01
10,000m            32:16.85

Andrew Newell  100m               11.08
200m               22.22
400m               49.12

Dean Turner      Triple Jump       11.90m

Murray Goldfinch Discus            39.60m

Anton Flavel      Javelin              53.84m
High Jump        1.69m

Patricia Flavel   400m                61.63
800m                2:11.52
1500m              4:45.65
3000m              10:32.94

Tanya Krome     Discus               35.06m

Norma Koplich  Javelin              33.93m

 

Sydney Paralympics Athletics Results

Men	Event	Position	Result
Anton FLAVEL (ACT)	Shot Put – Para-Athletics	9	Final 9th 9.25m
	Javelin Throw – Para-Athletics	1	Final 1st 52.50	Gold
Murray GOLDFINCH (ACT)	Shot Put – Para-Athletics	3	Final 3rd 12.22m	Bronze
	Javelin Throw – Para-Athletics	7	Final 7th 30.57m
Paul MITCHELL (WA)	400 metres – Para-Athletics	11	Ht3 4th 52.68
	1500 metres – Para-Athletics	1	Final 1st 3:57.23	Gold
Andrew NEWELL (NSW)	100 metres – Para-Athletics	3	Ht2 2nd 11.08(-0.2); Final 3rd 11.11(+0.2)	Bronze
	400 metres – Para-Athletics	3	Ht2 1st 49.77; Final 3rd 49.33	Bronze
Dean TURNER (NSW)	100 metres – Para-Athletics	12	Ht1 3rd 11.48(+0.8)
	Long Jump – Para-Athletics	8	Final 8th 5.99m(-0.0)
Madelyn EHLERS (Qld)	Shot Put – Para-Athletics	7	Final 7th 8.54m
	Javelin Throw – Para-Athletics	6	Final 6th 21.79m
Patricia ‘Trish’ FLAVEL (ACT)	800 metres – Para-Athletics	3	Final 3rd 2:16.68	Bronze
Norma KOPLICK (Qld)	Shot Put – Para-Athletics	6	Final 6th 9.01m
	Javelin Throw – Para-Athletics (F20)	2	Final 2nd 33.93m	Silver
Tanya KROME (Qld)	Shot Put – Para-Athletics (F20)	4	Final 4th 10.06m
	Javelin Throw – Para-Athletics	4	Final 4th 27.08m
Lisa LLORENS (ACT)	100 metres – Para-Athletics	2	Final 2nd 12.42(+2.1)	Silver
	200 metres – Para-Athletics	1	Ht2 1st 26.40(0.0); Final 26.08(+0.4)	Gold
	High Jump – Para-Athletics	1	Final 1st 1.54m	Gold
	Long Jump – Para-Athletics	1	Final 1st 5.43m(+0.9)	Gold
Sharon RACKHAM (ACT)	100 metres – Para-Athletics	4	Final 4th 13.21(+2.1)
	200 metres – Para-Athletics	2	Ht2 2nd 27.34(-0.5); Final 2nd 26.92(+0.4)	Silver
	High Jump – Para-Athletics	7	Final DNS
	Long Jump – Para-Athletics	8	Final 8th 4.10m(-0.9)