Australian Paralympic Committee
Paralympic Stories
Explore 🔎
1912
Our stories

Long before there were Paralympians, athletes with a disability competed, usually in able-bodied events. In 1912, Australian amputee athlete James Resleure almost made the US Olympic team.

Before even the first Games began, people competed

Before even the first Games began, people competed
1976
Our stories

Forty-eight Australian athletes competed at the 1976 Paralympics, including amputee and vision impaired athletes for the first time.

Australia at the Toronto Summer Paralympics 1976

Australia at the Toronto Summer Paralympics 1976

GALLERY: Amputee technology in 1976

GALLERY: Amputee technology in 1976
1980

Joe Egan led the Australian team in the opening ceremony

Joe Egan led the Australian team in the opening ceremony

Just one member of the amputee team was allowed to march in the opening ceremony

Just one member of the amputee team was allowed to march in the opening ceremony

In 1980, there was ne’er a blade runner to be seen

In 1980, there was ne’er a blade runner to be seen
Australian team members in their dormitory room during the 1980 summer Paralympics in Arnhem. Each athlete had a single or a bunk bed and a locker. This room was shared by 12 team members. Left to right: Mr Roberts (amputee team manager), Charlie Tapscott, Rene Andres (in wheelchair), Joe Egan (front), unknown on bed. Image courtesy of Paul Bird from his personal collection.

The accommodation wasn’t too fancy either

The accommodation wasn’t too fancy either
1984

The first part of the 1984 Games was in New York

The first part of the 1984 Games was in New York

The amputee section was the largest and most successful in New York

The amputee section was the largest and most successful in New York

Did spectators pay extra for a track-side view?

Did spectators pay extra for a track-side view?
1988

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

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

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’
1990

The foundation of the Australian Paralympic Federation

The foundation of the Australian Paralympic Federation
1992
Australian athletics athlete Mark Whiteman running at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games

GALLERY: Dramatic finish of the TS1 100m with Mark Whiteman and Kerrod McGregor

GALLERY: Dramatic finish of the TS1 100m with Mark Whiteman and Kerrod McGregor

Grunnsund goes from winter to summer, the hard way

Grunnsund goes from winter to summer, the hard way

Swimming introduced a functional classification system in Barcelona

Swimming introduced a functional classification system in Barcelona

Always keep your leg close – John Eden stretches between throws

Always keep your leg close – John Eden stretches between throws

Pink was in fashion but so was gold for Donna Smith

Pink was in fashion but so was gold for Donna Smith
2000
© Sport the library/Jeff CrowSydney 2000 Paralympic GamesAthletics, Day 2 October 20thShot put, Don Elgin (AUS)

Shot put was one of Don’s six events – in addition to the pentathlon

Shot put was one of Don’s six events – in addition to the pentathlon
Neil Fuller competes in the track at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

Neil Fuller was maybe Australia’s greatest ‘blade runner’

Neil Fuller was maybe Australia’s greatest ‘blade runner’
4 x 4oom T46 Mens track team members Stephen Wilson, Neil Fuller, Tim Matthews and Heath Frances at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

It was double gold for the men’s amputee relay track team

It was double gold for the men’s amputee relay track team
2004

Relays are a traditional strength for Australian teams

Relays are a traditional strength for Australian teams

There weren’t so many smiles at the wheelchair rugby

There weren’t so many smiles at the wheelchair rugby

© 2024 Australian Paralympic Committee
Web Design and Development by NOUS