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196 athletes from 16 countries competed in the first winter Paralympics in Örnsköldsvik. Australia’s only participant was Ron Finneran.
Australia at the Örnsköldsvik Winter Paralympics 1976
Australia at the Örnsköldsvik Winter Paralympics 1976"By all means put your name down."
Ron Finneran talks about the very informal selection process for the 1976 winter Paralympics.
Ron Finneran talks about the very informal selection process for the 1976 winter Paralympics.
Ron Finneran carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the first winter Paralympics
Ron Finneran carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony of the first winter Paralympics"I was told: 'You're not going anywhere boyo.'"
Ron Finneran on his response when told he couldn’t compete in Ornskoldsvik.
Ron Finneran on his response when told he couldn’t compete in Ornskoldsvik.Our stories
Australia sent two competitors to Geilo – Kyrra Grunnsund and Peter Rickards.
Australia at the Geilo Winter Paralympics 1980
Australia at the Geilo Winter Paralympics 1980Our stories
List of the members of the 1980 Australian Paralympic Team for the Geilo Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1980 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1980 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
Opening Ceremony, 2nd ‘Olympic Winter Games for Disabled’
Opening Ceremony, 2nd ‘Olympic Winter Games for Disabled’
Rickards sets off in one of sport’s most demanding events
Rickards sets off in one of sport’s most demanding events
A contrast for Finneran, who was alone four years before
A contrast for Finneran, who was alone four years before"I just put my name down as a manager or whatever you call it."
Ron Finneran talks about the role of Chef de Mission
Ron Finneran talks about the role of Chef de Mission
Time for a photo before Grunnsund starts his alpine events
Time for a photo before Grunnsund starts his alpine events
To compete at the highest level in two different disciplines is amazing."
Nick Dean reflects on the achievements of Kyrra Grunnsund
Nick Dean reflects on the achievements of Kyrra GrunnsundOur stories
Looking for more about the 1980 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Three Australian athletes participated in these Games: Rodney Mill (Cross-Country Skiing), Kyrra Grunnsund (Alpine Skiing) and Andrew Temple (Alpine Skiing).
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1984
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1984Our stories
List of the members of the 1984 Australian Paralympic Team for the Innsbruck Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles
1984 winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1984 winter Paralympics Australian Team List
Our stories
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Australia took five competitors to the 1988 Innsbruck Winter Paralympics, all Alpine skiers.
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1988
Australia at the Innsbruck Winter Paralympics 1988Our stories
List of the members of the 1988 Australian Paralympic Team for the Innsbruck Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1988 winter Paralympics Australian Team list
1988 winter Paralympics Australian Team list
Michael Collins enjoyed the Stubai Galcier weather before getting down to business
Michael Collins enjoyed the Stubai Galcier weather before getting down to business
Members of the 1988 Australian winter Paralympic Team
Members of the 1988 Australian winter Paralympic Team"As a 14 year old, your're sitting there with 2 of the best 5 guys in the world."
Michael Milton talks about his first Paralympic Games
Michael Milton talks about his first Paralympic Games
A very young Michael Milton gets set for his first Paralympic event
A very young Michael Milton gets set for his first Paralympic event
Full focus for Evan Hodge in the downhill, the speed event
Full focus for Evan Hodge in the downhill, the speed event
Our stories
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Australia sent five athletes, all Alpine Skiers, to the 1992 Winter Paralympics and came home with its first ever medals.
Australia at the Albertville Winter Paralympics 1992
Australia at the Albertville Winter Paralympics 1992Our stories
List of the members of the 1992 Australian Paralympic Team for the Albertville Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1992 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1992 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List"We didn't know where she found the money from at the time"
Nick Dean tells how Adrienne Smith funded the team to Albertville
Nick Dean tells how Adrienne Smith funded the team to Albertville"It just made it worth everything ... I was the happiest girl ever."
Adrienne Smith on how she funded the team and what it meant
Adrienne Smith on how she funded the team and what it meant
The media director and athletes on their way to the opening ceremony
The media director and athletes on their way to the opening ceremony"It was the first time that we got some real media coverage."
Adrienne Smith and the media coverage thanks to Paul Griffiths and his ‘black box’
Adrienne Smith and the media coverage thanks to Paul Griffiths and his ‘black box’
The first team to have technical support staff such as Alan Dean
The first team to have technical support staff such as Alan Dean"As a sit skier he was an absolutely, spectacularly, brilliant athlete"
Nick Dean says that Michael Norton was one of the best athletes he ever saw
Nick Dean says that Michael Norton was one of the best athletes he ever saw
Michael Norton on his way to a slalom bronze medal
Michael Norton on his way to a slalom bronze medal"It was absolutely amazing, it had us all in tears"
Nick Dean discusses the first Winter Paralympic medal won by an Australian
Nick Dean discusses the first Winter Paralympic medal won by an Australian
"It wasn't just me, it was the whole team environment."
Michael Milton on the significance of Australia’s first ever winter medals
Michael Milton on the significance of Australia’s first ever winter medalsOur stories
Looking for more about the 1992 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Craig Windham shows his style at pre-Games training
Craig Windham shows his style at pre-Games training
It was all about the preparation for Michael Norton and the Australian team
It was all about the preparation for Michael Norton and the Australian team
Rod Hacon takes a tight line in pre-Games competition
Rod Hacon takes a tight line in pre-Games competition
David Munk heads to the line with the Lillehammer Games still ahead
David Munk heads to the line with the Lillehammer Games still aheadOur stories
The Lillehammer Winter Paralympic Games were held in 1994, six months after Sydney was awarded the 2000 Paralympics.
Australia at the Lillehammer Winter Paralympics 1994
Australia at the Lillehammer Winter Paralympics 1994Our stories
List of the members of the 1994 Australian Paralympic Team for the Lillehammer Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles
1994 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1994 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
Michael Milton continued right on from the previous Games
Michael Milton continued right on from the previous Games
"I started off as a technical skier. It's a pattern that is worldwide."
Michael Milton talks about the qualities needed for the alpine skiing events
Michael Milton talks about the qualities needed for the alpine skiing events
The Australian supporters had plenty to be happy about
The Australian supporters had plenty to be happy about
The head coach and captain celebrate a great team performance
The head coach and captain celebrate a great team performance
"The level of preparation that we had was a real big step up between 1992 and 1994. And we saw that in the results..."
Michael Milton talks about the jump the Team made from 1992 to 1994
Michael Milton talks about the jump the Team made from 1992 to 1994Our stories
Looking for more about the 1994 winter Paralympics in Lillehammer? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Australia was represented by four male alpine skiers, only one of whom had previously competed in a Winter Paralympics and won fewer medals than in the two previous Winter Games.
Australia at the Nagano Winter Paralympics 1998
Australia at the Nagano Winter Paralympics 1998Our stories
List of the members of the 1998 Australian Paralympic Team for the Nagano Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
1998 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
1998 Winter Paralympics Australian Team ListOur stories
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At the 2002 Winter Paralympics, Australia earned the highest-ever number of top-ten performances and the most gold medals in a Winter Games, with the team finishing fourth in Alpine skiing ahead of powerhouses France, Switzerland, Italy and Canada.
Australia at the Salt Lake City Winter Paralympics 2002
Australia at the Salt Lake City Winter Paralympics 2002Our stories
List of the members of the 2002 Australian Paralympic Team for the Salt Lake City Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
2002 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
2002 Winter Paralympics Australian Team ListOur stories
Looking for more about the 2002 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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Australia was represented by 10 athletes at the 2006 Torino Winter Paralympics, the country’s largest-ever Winter Paralympic Games team.
Australia at the Torino Winter Paralympics 2006
Australia at the Torino Winter Paralympics 2006Our stories
List of the members of the 2006 Australian Paralympic Team for the Torino Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
2006 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
2006 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
The Australian team was officially welcomed to the Village
The Australian team was officially welcomed to the Village
‘Milto’ carried the Australian flag for his final winter Games
‘Milto’ carried the Australian flag for his final winter Games
And more than 25,000 celebrated the opening of the Games
And more than 25,000 celebrated the opening of the Games
The stage was set – all that was needed was bums on these seats
The stage was set – all that was needed was bums on these seats
The alpine skiing program traditionally starts with the downhill – fast and scary!
The alpine skiing program traditionally starts with the downhill – fast and scary!
Even scarier on one leg? Milto eats up the downhill.
Even scarier on one leg? Milto eats up the downhill.
"You want to compete at a level playing field..."
Michael Milton talks about the changes to the classes for Torino
Michael Milton talks about the changes to the classes for Torino
James Millar had the most demanding program of the Australians
James Millar had the most demanding program of the Australians
The recognisable style of Toby Kane, on his way to his first Paralympic medal
The recognisable style of Toby Kane, on his way to his first Paralympic medal
Back on the slopes, Shannon Dallas put in a huge second run in the GS
Back on the slopes, Shannon Dallas put in a huge second run in the GS
Emily Jansen became Australia’s first female winter Paralympian
Emily Jansen became Australia’s first female winter Paralympian
And James Millar became Australia’s first competitor in biathlon
And James Millar became Australia’s first competitor in biathlon
Key sponsors and supporters got a firsthand experience of the Games
Key sponsors and supporters got a firsthand experience of the Games
Slalom is the final event on the alpine skiing program and conditions were tough
Slalom is the final event on the alpine skiing program and conditions were tough
Michael Milton went retro in his final race at the winter Paralympics
Michael Milton went retro in his final race at the winter Paralympics
It was the end of a long journey for Milto and his family
It was the end of a long journey for Milto and his family
Time to hand over to the next generation (of one legged skiers)
Time to hand over to the next generation (of one legged skiers)
Our stories
Looking for more about the 2006 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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List of the members of the 2010 Australian Paralympic Team for the Vancouver Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
2010 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
2010 Winter Paralympics Australian Team ListOur stories
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Eleven Australian athletes competed in Vancouver. The Australian team returned home with one silver and two bronze medals, finishing 13th on the total medal tally.
Australia at the Vancouver Winter Paralympics 2010
Australia at the Vancouver Winter Paralympics 2010Our stories
List of the members of the 2014 Australian Paralympic Team for the Sochi Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.
2014 Winter Paralympics Australian Team List
2014 Winter Paralympics Australian Team ListOur stories
Looking for more about the 2014 winter Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.
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