Australia at the 1968 Tel Aviv Paralympics

750 athletes attended the Tel Aviv Paralympic Games – almost doubling attendances from Rome and Tokyo. Australia sent nearly triple the number of competitors it sent to Tokyo, with thirty-two athletes and eighteen support staff. There was a marked increase in escort-to-athlete ratio, indicative of the growing complexity of requirements at the Paralympic Games. There is little doubt that the Israeli organizing committee’s contribution of half of the team’s expenses influenced the size of the Australian Team.

Performance:
Australian athletes continued their strong performances on the international stage, with fifteen gold medals from a total tally of thirty-eight and finishing fourth on the ‘unofficial’ medal table . Australians again excelled in the pool and in track and field events, with thirty of the medals, including twelve gold, coming from these two sports. Australians performed well in new events, including the men’s 100 metre wheelchair races. Gary Hooper and Bruno Moretti claimed gold and silver respectively in the Class A 100 metres, while Kevin Munro won gold in the Class B 100 metres. Australians also won medals in Archery, Dartchery, Snooker, Table Tennis, and Weightlifting.

Australia sent nearly triple the number of competitors it sent to Tokyo, with a team of thirty-two athletes and eighteen support staff.