1988

"I had to go to the meeting and withdraw my application"

Dr John Grant on Australia’s bid to host the 1988 Paralympics

Dr John Grant on Australia’s bid to host the 1988 Paralympics
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At a national level, the Seoul Paralympic Games were significant, as they represented a concerted effort to organise, fund and send a truly national Australian team.

Australia at the Seoul Summer Paralympics 1988

Australia at the Seoul Summer Paralympics 1988
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List of the members of the 1988 Australian Paralympic Team for the Seoul Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.

1988 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List

1988 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List

The 1988 team was the best funded to that time due to a national effort

The 1988 team was the best funded to that time due to a national effort

And the fundraising efforts generated lots of photo opportunities

And the fundraising efforts generated lots of photo opportunities

"It was really disability specific, which really didn't sit well with me."

But Australia again sent a team separated into disability sub-teams, as Chris Nunn explains

But Australia again sent a team separated into disability sub-teams, as Chris Nunn explains

The Seoul Games were the first to be officially called “Paralympics”

The Seoul Games were the first to be officially called “Paralympics”

South Korea was rapidly modernising but that brought its own issues

South Korea was rapidly modernising but that brought its own issues

GALLERY: Opening ceremony of the Seoul Paralympics

GALLERY: Opening ceremony of the Seoul Paralympics

Let the athletics begin – Australia’s premier sport in Seoul

Let the athletics begin – Australia’s premier sport in Seoul

"I'm going to win a gold medal. I really, really have to race."

Norma Beer tells the extraordinary story of Deahnne McIntyre’s path to gold

Norma Beer tells the extraordinary story of Deahnne McIntyre’s path to gold

From the operating table to the dais – the amazing Games of Deahnne McIntyre

From the operating table to the dais – the amazing Games of Deahnne McIntyre

Jane Buckley and David Goodman seem pleased with how things are going

Jane Buckley and David Goodman seem pleased with how things are going

And why not? The VI athletes had a great Games

And why not? The VI athletes had a great Games

There were medals to show off

There were medals to show off

And places to go

And places to go

If you wanted to fly

If you wanted to fly

Or keep your feet on the ground

Or keep your feet on the ground

Bruce Wallrodt had to be tied down

Bruce Wallrodt had to be tied down

Before he rose above his competition

Before he rose above his competition

GALLERY: But the rock stars of the Australian team were the ‘Awesome Foursome’

GALLERY: But the rock stars of the Australian team were the ‘Awesome Foursome’

"It really changed my life in the way I look at other people and what can be achieved."

Chris Nunn talks about how coaching in Seoul hooked him on Paralympic sport

Chris Nunn talks about how coaching in Seoul hooked him on Paralympic sport

For the first time, an Australian TV network sent a crew to the Games

For the first time, an Australian TV network sent a crew to the Games

Libby provided another good news story at the shooting

Libby provided another good news story at the shooting

And Stan’s win made the Kosmalas the first ever married gold medalists

And Stan’s win made the Kosmalas the first ever married gold medalists

In wheelchair basketball, Australia was seeking to close the gap

In wheelchair basketball, Australia was seeking to close the gap

The game against Argentina was positive

The game against Argentina was positive

Even if it had its moments

Even if it had its moments

David Gould played the second Paralympics of his long career

David Gould played the second Paralympics of his long career

And our basketballers didn’t lack for local supporters

And our basketballers didn’t lack for local supporters

Organisation and coordination was a strong feature of the Seoul Games

Organisation and coordination was a strong feature of the Seoul Games

In transport, an old and tested method was used to quickly load wheelchair users

In transport, an old and tested method was used to quickly load wheelchair users

At the pool, a future swimming hall of famer waits to be announced

At the pool, a future swimming hall of famer waits to be announced

While the race is on – towels, tracksuits, crutches and legs await

While the race is on – towels, tracksuits, crutches and legs await

Greg Hammond won two of Australia’s five swimming gold medals

Greg Hammond won two of Australia’s five swimming gold medals

Legs in the basket and game faces on

Legs in the basket and game faces on

The frenzy of a 4x50m freestyle relay

The frenzy of a 4x50m freestyle relay

In the Village, the Chef de Mission had plenty to keep him occupied

In the Village, the Chef de Mission had plenty to keep him occupied

While others get to grips with computer technology

While others get to grips with computer technology

And away from the Village, young Koreans meet the Paralympians

And away from the Village, young Koreans meet the Paralympians

Or back at the track, it seems the era of ‘gentlemen racers’ has returned

Or back at the track, it seems the era of ‘gentlemen racers’ has returned

But no-one told Peter Trotter

But no-one told Peter Trotter

Richard Cordukes looks relaxed before this race

Richard Cordukes looks relaxed before this race

Three Australians contested the 100m final for leg amputees

Three Australians contested the 100m final for leg amputees

Robert Biancucci proved his versatility from 200m to 1500m

Robert Biancucci proved his versatility from 200m to 1500m

Be prepared – bring a spare leg

Be prepared – bring a spare leg

Rodney Nugent on his way to one of his seven medals in Seoul

Rodney Nugent on his way to one of his seven medals in Seoul

The drama of performing in the big arena

The drama of performing in the big arena

Another Games, another javelin medal for Donna Smith

Another Games, another javelin medal for Donna Smith

Carmel Williams was Australia’s only female table tennis player in a team of nine

Carmel Williams was Australia’s only female table tennis player in a team of nine

The 1988 Australian team symbol was a play on the official Games mascots

The 1988 Australian team symbol was a play on the official Games mascots

"I really came back from that trip fired up about making a difference."

Chris Nunn talks about the changes that needed to be made to be more successful

Chris Nunn talks about the changes that needed to be made to be more successful

The final Games for Don Worley, capturing images and film from 1972

The final Games for Don Worley, capturing images and film from 1972

GALLERY: “The flame that lit the world … is now slowly burning out.”

GALLERY: “The flame that lit the world … is now slowly burning out.”
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Looking for more about the 1988 summer Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.

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