Fearnley Protégé Among Newest Members Of Australian Paralympic Team

Australia’s track and field team for the Paris Paralympics has been bolstered by 24 athletes - including one who recently beat a long-standing record by Paralympic great Kurt Fearnley - after Paralympics Australia confirmed a second group to represent the nation at the Games. 

Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin announced the newest members of the Australian Paralympic Team in a ceremony held online and attended by Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley. 

The athletes joined the eight track and field competitors who were selected in April.  

The group includes Australian Paralympic Team co-captain Angie Ballard, as well as previous Paralympic Games representatives Corey Anderson, Luke Bailey, Rhiannon Clarke, Jaryd Clifford, Sarah Edmiston, Guy Henly, Nicholas Hum, Rosemary Little, Rheed McCracken, Sam McIntosh, Ella Pardy, Chad Perris, Samantha Schmidt, Maria Strong and Sarah Walsh. 

Among the squad members set to make their debut is Telaya Blacksmith, a teenage star of T20 400m running, originally from the Walpiri community town of Lajamanu in the Northern Territory. Blacksmith would become Australia’s 16th Indigenous Australian Paralympian, one of whom, discus thrower Schmidt, was also announced in this group for Paris 2024. 

Also among the debutants is T54 wheelchair racer Sam Rizzo who at an event in March secured his first A qualifying time by shaving nearly four seconds Fearnley’s 1500m national record, set in 2012.  

“Last year in Paris (at the World Championships) in the 1500m I got close to it,” Rizzo said. “I knew it was there in the tank. I was able to get in a good race, get a good wheel and go flat out, and I managed to sneak under the time.” 

Rizzo said Paralympic selection had been a goal since he started competing over a decade ago. 

“It’s really nice to tick off a goal that I’ve been working really hard to reach over many years,” he said. 

“I’ve still got a lot of work to get where I want to go, but it’s amazing and a very proud moment that all the hard work’s paid off, lots of training, lots of going around chasing times to be able to represent Australia at the Games. 

“I’ve got a really good support team behind me and without them I definitely wouldn’t be heading over. Being part of the team representing Australia is amazing. I’ve got some good friends I’ll be competing with and be on the team with. I just want to soak it all up and see what we can do.” 

McLoughlin, the Chef de Mission, welcomed the new members of the Australian Paralympic Team. 

“Athletics is absolutely crucial to every Australian Paralympic campaign, so it’s a great pleasure to welcome these 24 athletes to our team for the Paris Games,” McLoughlin said.  

“There are competitors in this group who have tasted the excitement of Paralympic competition and felt the sense of achievement of winning a medal or reaching their personal goals. Others will be experiencing the Paralympic Games for the first time. 

“Whether it’s your seventh Games, like our amazing co-captain Angie Ballard, or your very first, the pride and expectation that comes with representing Australia is something I know all the athletes we’ve named today will rise to and treasure.  

“Thank you to Athletics Australia and all those who have invested their time, energy and expertise to help these wonderful athletes progress and develop. To the athletes, congratulations on your appointment to the Australian Paralympic Team. We can’t wait to see you in action in Paris.” 

Australian Para-Athletics Team - 2024 Paralympic Games:

Corey Anderson (Lukas Cannon), F38 javelin throw 

Luke Bailey (Andrew Dawes), T54 100m 

Angela Ballard (Jamie Green), T53 400m 

Telaya Blacksmith (Jacinta Doyle and Anula Costa), T20 400m 

Michal Burian (Nick Baltas), F44 javelin

Matthew Clarke (Adam Didyk), Guide runner for Jaryd Clifford 

Rhiannon Clarke (Danny Kevan), T38 100m, 400m 

Jaryd Clifford (Philo Saunders), T13 1500m, 5000m 

Sarah Clifton-Bligh (Louise Sauvage), F32 shot put 

Annabelle Colman (Liz Gosper and Anthony de Castella), T20 1500m 

Abby Craswell (Sebastian Kuzminski and Andrew Craswell), T36 100m 

Dayna Crees (Gordon Talbot), F34 javelin throw, shot put 

Madison de Rozario (Louise Sauvage), T53 marathon 

Sarah Edmiston (Paul Edmiston), F44 discus throw 

Jackson Hamilton (Morgan Ward), F13 javelin throw 

Guy Henly (Dale Stevenson), F37 discus throw 

Angus Hincksman (Simon Moran), T38 1500m 

Ella Hose (John Eden), F37 shot put 

Nicholas Hum (John Boas), T20 long jump 

Reece Langdon (Tim O'Shaughnessy), T38 1500m

Rosemary Little (Breanne Clement), F32 shot put 

Mali Lovell (Katie Edwards and Melinda Gainsford-Taylor), T36 100m, 200m 

Tim Logan, Guide runner for Jaryd Clifford 

Vanessa Low (Scott Reardon), T61 long jump

Rheed McCracken (Louise Sauvage), T34 100m, 800m 

Samuel McIntosh (Fred Periac), T52 100m 

Ella Pardy (Danny Kevan), T38 100m 

Chad Perris (Matt Beckenham), T13 100m 

Samuel Rizzo (Richard Colman), T54 1500m, 5000m 

Michael Roeger (Philo Saunders), T46 1500m 

Samantha Schmidt (Ralph Newton), F38 discus throw 

Maria Strong (John Eden), F33 shot put 

James Turner (Iryna Dvoskina), T36 100m, 400m

Sarah Walsh (Matt Beckenham), T64 long jump 

By Paralympics Australia
Posted: 17/7/2024