Winter Paralympians to Inspire a Nation
The Australian Government has sent its best wishes to Australia’s team ahead of the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games this weekend.
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Joint Release
The Hon Kate Ellis MP
Minister for Sport
The Hon Bill Shorten MP
Member for Maribyrnong Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Children's Services
11 March 2010The Australian Government today sent its best wishes to Australia’s team ahead of the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games this weekend.
“Sport shows us the great heights we as humans can reach and the hurdles that we can overcome. The Paralympics in particular show us the power we have to overcome adversity and shine,” Minister for Sport Kate Ellis said.
“Like all Australians, I watched with great pride as Torah Bright, Lydia Lassila and Dale Begg-Smith won medals at the Winter Olympics. I’m sure we’ll feel that pride again as our Paralympians hit the snow and ice,” Ms Ellis said.
Eleven Australian athletes and three guides will compete in the Games at many of the venues used at the Vancouver Winter Olympics last month. The nine male and two female athletes will compete across 14 events.
“This is the biggest team Australia has ever sent to a Winter Paralympic Games and it’s another great sign of the growing inclusiveness of elite sport in Australia,” Ms Ellis said.
“Our athletes, their guides, coaches and support staff have worked really hard over many years to reach the highest echelons of their sport. We wish them every success.”
Parliamentary Secretary Bill Shorten says our Winter Paralympians are great ambassadors both for Australia and for people with disability.
“Their commitment to getting the most out of themselves and competing for their country is inspirational,” he said.
“When Australians watch our Paralympians in action they see their achievements and not their impairments.
“These athletes are a powerful reminder of the talents and potential of people with disability and of what they can achieve if they are given an opportunity,” Mr Shorten said.
The Australian Government has supported the Australian Paralympic Committee with $1.8 million for the winter games program since 2006/07.
This year’s Vancouver Games team also includes eight Australian Institute of Sport scholarship holders – all in the alpine skiing disciplines.
More than 40 countries will participate in the Paralympic Winter Games, with about 1,350 athletes and team officials involved in the ten day event, which runs from 12–21 March.
Press Secretary (Ellis): (02) 6277 7350
Press Secretary (Shorten): Ben Ruse 0407 030 808
2010 Vancouver Winter Paralympic Games Team
| Athletes | Events | Guide | Home |
| Bart Bunting AIS/NSWIS | Men’s Downhill Men’s Super G Men’s Super Combined Men’s Giant Slalom | Nathan Chivers (AIS) | Burwood, NSW |
| Shannon Dallas AIS/NSWIS/AGSTG | Men’s Downhill Men’s Super G Men’s Super Combined Men’s Giant Slalom Men’s Slalom | - | Terrigal, NSW |
| Jessica Gallagher AIS/VIS /AGSTG | Women’s Giant Slalom Women’s Slalom | Eric Bickerton (AIS) | Geelong, Victoria |
| Mitchell Gourley AIS/VIS | Men’s Super G Men’s Slalom Men’s Giant Slalom | - | Geelong, Victoria |
| Toby Kane AIS/NSWIS /AGSTG | Men’s Super G Men’s Giant Slalom Men’s Slalom | - | Paddington, NSW |
| Marty Mayberry AIS/NSWIS/AGSTG | Men’s Super G Men’s Giant Slalom Men’s Slalom | - | Camperdown, NSW |
| Melissa Perrine | Women’s Downhill Women’s Super G Women’s Super Combined Women’s Giant Slalom Women’s Slalom | Andy Bor | Welby, NSW |
| Cameron Rahles-Rahbula AIS/VIS/AGSTG | Men’s Super G Men’s Giant Slalom Men’s Slalom | - | Richmond, Victoria |
| Nick Watts AIS/NSWIS | Men’s Super G Men’s Giant Slalom Men’s Slalom | - | West Pennant Hills, NSW |
| James Millar VIS | Men’s Cross Country 20km Free Men’s Cross Country Classic 10km Men’s Cross Country 1km Sprint | - | Glen Iris, Victoria |
| Dominic Monypenny TAS | Men’s Cross Country 15km Men’s Cross Country Classic 10km Men’s Cross Country 1km Sprint | - | West Launceston, Tasmania |
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