1988
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"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 ParalympicsOur stories
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 1988Our stories
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
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"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
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"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
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’
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"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
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
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
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
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
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
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"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.”Our stories
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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