1996
Our stories

In the lead-up to the 1996 Atlanta Summer Paralympic Games, the APF innovatively altered its approach to developing athlete performance.

Australia at the Atlanta Summer Paralympics 1996

Australia at the Atlanta Summer Paralympics 1996
Our stories

List of the members of the 1996 Australian Paralympic Team for the Atlanta Games, with links to the members’ Wikipedia articles.

1996 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List

1996 Summer Paralympics Australian Team List

The Australian Team is formally welcomed to the Games Village

The Australian Team is formally welcomed to the Games Village

You could feel the excitement in the Australian camp from Day 1

You could feel the excitement in the Australian camp from Day 1

Libby Kosmala led the Australian team into the opening ceremony

Libby Kosmala led the Australian team into the opening ceremony

The Australian team marches in the opening ceremony

The Australian team marches in the opening ceremony

The Aussies were out of the blocks and full of running

The Aussies were out of the blocks and full of running

David “Clock” Evans on his way to gold in the 1500m

David “Clock” Evans on his way to gold in the 1500m

Katrina Webb had a great story and a great Games

Katrina Webb had a great story and a great Games
Australian athlete Bruce Wallrodt (Western Australia) prepares to throw in the F53 seated javelin event in which he won the bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games

Bruce Wallrodt was part of the dominant throws group

Bruce Wallrodt was part of the dominant throws group
Australian athlete Terry Giddy (New South Wales) competes in the F55 seated discus throw event at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games in which he finished fourth

Veteran Terry Giddy just missed a medal in discus

Veteran Terry Giddy just missed a medal in discus

Australian shooting team, Atlanta Paralympics

Australian shooting team, Atlanta Paralympics
Australian F33 athlete Stephen Eaton competes in the discus seated throwing event at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games in which he won a bronze medal

Young gun Stephen Eaton started his Paralympic career with discus bronze

Young gun Stephen Eaton started his Paralympic career with discus bronze

It was to be the final Games for lawn bowls

It was to be the final Games for lawn bowls

June Clark and Pauline Cahill were Australia’s lawn bowls medalists

June Clark and Pauline Cahill were Australia’s lawn bowls medalists

The lawn bowls chairs were built for the sport

The lawn bowls chairs were built for the sport

Ashley Adams rests between shots, Atlanta 1996

Ashley Adams rests between shots, Atlanta 1996

James Nomarhas rests between shots, Atlanta 1996

James Nomarhas rests between shots, Atlanta 1996

Keith Bremner shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Keith Bremner shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Libby Kosmala shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Libby Kosmala shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Peter Worsley shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Peter Worsley shoots, Atlanta Paralympics

Keeping the athletes fed is a big operation

Keeping the athletes fed is a big operation

The dining tent is a fuel stop and a social hub

The dining tent is a fuel stop and a social hub

Mmmm – Amy Winters and Tim Matthews seem to have nailed ‘healthy eating’

Mmmm – Amy Winters and Tim Matthews seem to have nailed ‘healthy eating’

Meanwhile, at the open air velodrome, it was brutally hot

Meanwhile, at the open air velodrome, it was brutally hot

For Chris Scott, plenty of water was the answer

For Chris Scott, plenty of water was the answer

Lamond and Lepore went for damp towels

Lamond and Lepore went for damp towels

While Sandra Smith and Terri Poole took a more ‘ladylike’ approach

While Sandra Smith and Terri Poole took a more ‘ladylike’ approach

Which was not so evident in their response to winning two gold medals

Which was not so evident in their response to winning two gold medals

The start of the ‘Modra era’ in cycling

The start of the ‘Modra era’ in cycling

And the Homann and Scott eras as well

And the Homann and Scott eras as well

Transport wasn’t quite as smooth as it had been at other Games

Transport wasn’t quite as smooth as it had been at other Games

The “Gruesome Twosome” on their way to Australia’s first Boccia medal

The “Gruesome Twosome” on their way to Australia’s first Boccia medal

Not so gruesome now!

Not so gruesome now!

Anthony Clarke on his way to another first for Australia in judo

Anthony Clarke on his way to another first for Australia in judo

The proud judo team – Anthony Clarke with coach Trevor Kschammer

The proud judo team – Anthony Clarke with coach Trevor Kschammer

Back at the Village, there was work to be done

Back at the Village, there was work to be done

While yet another sport made history

While yet another sport made history

Rollers’ captain Sandy Blythe was in control

Rollers’ captain Sandy Blythe was in control

The Aussie supporters made their presence felt in the stands

The Aussie supporters made their presence felt in the stands

And so did Banjo, the Australian Team mascot

And so did Banjo, the Australian Team mascot

Troy Sachs has the honour of cutting down the net

Troy Sachs has the honour of cutting down the net

There was less noise at the goalball

There was less noise at the goalball

But plenty of action and excitement as Australia’s men made the medal round

But plenty of action and excitement as Australia’s men made the medal round

The women’s goalball team didn’t fare quite as well

The women’s goalball team didn’t fare quite as well

The heat was on at the tennis, as well

The heat was on at the tennis, as well

Two medals, but gold eluded David Hall in Atlanta

Two medals, but gold eluded David Hall in Atlanta

Unusual tennis footwear for Di Toro as she and Hinson finish 4th in doubles

Unusual tennis footwear for Di Toro as she and Hinson finish 4th in doubles

A visit from the Minister for the Olympics and Paralympics

A visit from the Minister for the Olympics and Paralympics

And a visit from the APF President

And a visit from the APF President

It was difficult for the equestrian team to feel part of the wider team

It was difficult for the equestrian team to feel part of the wider team

Wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport

Wheelchair rugby was a demonstration sport

Humble beginnings for the Australian wheelchair rugby team

Humble beginnings for the Australian wheelchair rugby team

Powerlifting contributed to the medal tally through veteran Brian McNicholl

Powerlifting contributed to the medal tally through veteran Brian McNicholl

Women’s basketball was at its second Games and Australia just missed a medal

Women’s basketball was at its second Games and Australia just missed a medal

Amanda Carter hustles for the ball on defence

Amanda Carter hustles for the ball on defence

Liesl Tesch is a picture of concentration

Liesl Tesch is a picture of concentration

There was plenty to celebrate at the pool as well

There was plenty to celebrate at the pool as well

Priya Cooper was again the star of the swimming team

Priya Cooper was again the star of the swimming team

Cameron de Burgh steadies on the blocks

Cameron de Burgh steadies on the blocks

Scott Brockenshire leaves the blocks

Scott Brockenshire leaves the blocks

It was time to get serious when Brendan Burkett got a head shave

It was time to get serious when Brendan Burkett got a head shave

Melissa Carlton waits to be called onto the blocks for a race

Melissa Carlton waits to be called onto the blocks for a race

Kingsley Bugarin stands at the top of the podium again in Atlanta

Kingsley Bugarin stands at the top of the podium again in Atlanta

Our highly skilled and professional medical staff are here to serve you

Our highly skilled and professional medical staff are here to serve you

The physical therapies treatment room in action during the Games

The physical therapies treatment room in action during the Games

Back at the track, there was one clear star for Australia

Back at the track, there was one clear star for Australia

Louise Sauvage celebrates another victory

Louise Sauvage celebrates another victory

The heat was relentless but so were the Aussies

The heat was relentless but so were the Aussies

Racing wheelchair design had taken a big leap by Atlanta

Racing wheelchair design had taken a big leap by Atlanta

And running legs were still a work in progress

And running legs were still a work in progress

Having professional coaches was a big advantage for Australia

Having professional coaches was a big advantage for Australia

The ABC had been there to capture it all

The ABC had been there to capture it all

The flag was passed to Sydney

The flag was passed to Sydney

Then it was time to party

Then it was time to party

The team was welcomed home with parades around Australia

The team was welcomed home with parades around Australia

Louise Sauvage was recognised as Paralympian of the Year

Louise Sauvage was recognised as Paralympian of the Year
Our stories

Looking for more about the 1996 summer Paralympics? Here are some links you can visit and ideas to find out more.

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