Timeline - Paralympics

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

1959

The first Mount Wilga sports day was a well organised event

1960

Our stories

Athletics results at the summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960.

Athletics results for summer Paralympics and IPC World Championships from 1960

The first Royal North Shore Paraplegic Games

Gary Hooper: "Come on, you can do better than that."

Listen to Gary Hooper talk about the many events he participated in

1964

Australian Team Members at athletics Tokyo Paralympics

A wheelchair track race during the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Wheelchair race Tokyo Paralympics

Mather-Brown takes his basketball chair to the track

Athletes chat on the infield at the athletics track during the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games.

Athletes chat Tokyo Paralympics

An unknown competitor prepares to throw the discus during the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games. At that time, throwers competed in their day chairs, and relied on the assistance of able-bodied team officials to hold the chair stable while they threw. Athletes now use custom made throwing frames that are tethered to the ground.

Discus Tokyo Paralympics

Athletes warm up for the men's javelin event at the 1964 Tokyo Paralympic Games. On the left is an unknown Australian athlete and next to him is Gary Hooper, another member of the Australian Team.

Javelin warm-up Tokyo Paralympics

1966

Basic conditions, fierce competition

1968

Winning gold is my proudest moment

Bruno Moretti on the intricacies of the wheelchair slalom

1970

Medals in five sports and other personal Edinburgh highlights

Hear Libby Kosmala talk about her experiences at the 1970 Commonwealth Paralympic Games

"I got to know a lot of disabled people from around Australian very well"

Libby Kosmala discusses her successes and social life at Edinburgh 1970

1972

Getting the start just right

And then they’re off! In the 1972 wheelchair dash.

Competing also means waiting

Giddy gets silver

Precision javelin – where accuracy matters more than distance

GALLERY: How to stabilise a thrower’s chair

Lithgow boy makes good

Elaine Schreiber full of concentration

Tracey Freeman won 3 gold medals with 3 world records

Cherrie Ireland Competes in Wheelchair Slalom

Supporting their teammates

GALLERY: Tracey Freeman was the Australian star of the 1972 Paralympics

1974

The Aussie sprint stars were favoured to take out the slalom events as well. Ray Barrett had won the class 2 sprint but was disqualified in the slalom. This particular obstacle course tested chair handling skill and light manoeuvres more than sheer speed. John Martin wizzes around the ramp platform. Terry Giddy whizzed too hard and came off the side and had to do it again much to his annoyance. Gwen Milbourne was a certainty beaten in the class 2 women’s slalom, when she came to grief in a big way on the ramp. Slalom is an obstacle race against the stop watch with seconds being added as penalties for hitting markers.

Australian Athletic Team, Slalom, Dunedin Commonwealth Paraplegic Games

The men’s relay team of Martin, Patterson, McIntyre and Giddy, complete the Australian clean sweep of the men’s track events, amid much jubilation from the Australian camp.

Australian Men’s Athletics Team, Wheelchair Relay, Dunedin Commonwealth Paraplegic Games

1976

Contemplation of the task ahead for Jago Mikulic

Watch Jago Mikulic literally run blind towards the finish line

GALLERY: Amputee technology in 1976

Tracey Freeman was Australia’s sprint queen in Toronto

But Freeman really cleaned up in the field events

“I might have broken the record.”

Martin and Oliver get set in the blue ribbon wheelchair sprint

But neither manage to make it into the final

Peter Marsh gets the bronze medal .. and a pat on the back

Eric Russell puts everything into another gold medal performance

"I told him what he could do with his Games and where he could put them"

Eric Russell tells the story of the Games’ biggest controversy

Murray Todd seems pleased with his silver medal

Chair skills in the wheelchair slalom

GALLERY: Wheelchair technology in 1976

1980

The fast men of the track had one thing in common – beards!

Product placement – Mike Nugent wins in the chair he built

Nugent and Alp receive their medals for the 200m

A special courage – jumping blind

Perfectly balanced and ready to let fly

Wayne Patchett was Australia’s most successful athlete in Arnhem

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

The start of the controversial re-run of the 100m Class C final at the 1980 summer Paralympics in Arnhem. Australian Joe Egan (3rd from right) controversially threw his starting blocks onto the track to disrupt the original running of the final when he was prevented from running after he had not been told he was in the race. After the race was run, Egan's protest was upheld and the race was re-run. Egan won the bronze medal. Also in the race was New Zealander John Eden (second from right), who would subsequently move to Australia in 1982 and compete for Australia at 4 Games. Image courtesy of Paul Bird from his personal collection.

But there was controversy nevertheless

Head to head in the wheelchair slalom

Back at the athletics, it was a wet, wet track

Australian wheelchair athlete Sue Hobbs (centre) pursues eventual gold medallist Juana Soto of Mexico and to win a silver medal in the women's Class 5 1500m at the 1980 summer Paralympics. Behind Hobbs is Curtiss of the USA, who finished third. Hobbs won three silver medals in athletics at the Games.This image is a still from a film made by Donald Worley about Australia's participation at the 1980 Summer Paralympics in Arnhem, Netherlands.

But there was a silver lining for Sue Hobbs

And you could see the race up close if you wanted to stand trackside

Erich Hubel takes silver behind an amazing new world record in the 800m

GALLERY: The weird and the wonderful world of sport wheelchair design in 1980

"I'd take my everyday wheels off and put the racing wheels on"

Julie Russell on racing in a ‘convertible’ day chair

1982

One of the five medals won by Fred Nitz

1984

Egan gets bronze in a blanket finish in the men’s A4 100m

Relay gold and the first Paralympic gold medal by an Indigenous Australian

Did spectators pay extra for a track-side view?

Just a minute Peter Trotter, shouldn’t you be in Stoke Mandeville?

The track team, ready to roll in Stoke Mandeville

Alan Dufty set the pace on the track

Peter Trotter saets off on the final leg of the 4x400m relay at the 1984 summer Paralympics. The Australian team finished third, some distance behind the first two teams, but still under the previous world record. This image is a still from a film made by Donald Worley about Australia's participation at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Stoke Mandeville, England.

And Peter Trotter added a full set of individual medals

The satisfaction of a world record for Mike Nugent

A famous victory at the home of the Paralympic movement

A touch on the shoulder and on the way

Thin was in for racing chairs, but so was feet first

Well, a Ferrari from those days looks a bit dated also…

Big Terry winds up for discus gold

Always good to have your teammates behind you, especially in javelin

“Marathon runners, on your marks…” for the first Paralympic marathon

Jan Randles examines her raw hands after winning the women's class 4 wheelchair marathon at the 1984 summer Paralympics. It was the first Paralympic Games marathon. This image is a still from a film made by Donald Worley about Australia's participation at the 1984 Summer Paralympics in Stoke Mandeville, England.

Jan Randles was Australia’s first female marathon gold medallist

1988

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

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

And why not? The VI athletes had a great Games

There were medals to show off

And places to go

If you wanted to fly

Or keep your feet on the ground

Bruce Wallrodt had to be tied down

Before he rose above his competition

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

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

But no-one told Peter Trotter

Richard Cordukes looks relaxed before this race

Three Australians contested the 100m final for leg amputees

Robert Biancucci proved his versatility from 200m to 1500m

Be prepared – bring a spare leg

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

The drama of performing in the big arena

Another Games, another javelin medal for Donna Smith

1992

15 year old Alison Quinn flies the flag in Barcelona

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

Grunnsund goes from winter to summer, the hard way

On the podium again, Russell Short won gold in both discus and shot put

Australian athletics athlete Kerrod McGregor in the long jump at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games

Kerrod McGregor just missed a third long jump medal

Australian athlete Darren Thrupp shows off the gold medal he won at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games in the men's C7/C8 (F37/F38) long jump.

And Darren Thrupp won his first

Kieran Modra throws the javelin

Always keep your leg close – John Eden stretches between throws

Brad Thomas launches the shot

A common site in Barcelona – Louise Sauvage leads the pack

After the race, Sauvage is now the centre of a different pack

On the podium, shot put Gold medallist Jodi Willis-Roberts

Get that outta here – Bruce Wallrodt throws the discus for silver

Pink was in fashion but so was gold for Donna Smith

Boss of the track – Louise Sauvage after another race in Barcelona

The baton was passed to Madrid

Russell Torrance from Western Australia runs a leg of the 4x100m men's relay for Australia at the 1992 Madrid Paralympic Games for Persons with Mental Handicap.

And Russell Torrance is off!

Paul Mitchell seemed to float to silver in the 1500m

While Anton Flavel throws himself into his work

And enjoys the rewards of his labours

But it wasn’t all completely smooth running for the Aussies

1994

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 1st IPC World Athletics Championships, Berlin, Germany, 22 – 31 July.

Athletics World Championships 1994

1996

The Aussies were out of the blocks and full of running

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

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

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

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

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

Louise Sauvage celebrates another victory

The heat was relentless but so were the Aussies

Racing wheelchair design had taken a big leap by Atlanta

And running legs were still a work in progress

Having professional coaches was a big advantage for Australia

1998

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 2nd IPC World Athletics Championships, Birmingham, England, 6-16 August 1998.

Athletics World Championships 1998

2000

At the athletics, it was all going Australia’s way

The CP boys joined the party

© 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

Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games Athletics - visually impaired sprinter Gerrard Gosens (AUS) with his guide/lead runner

For Gerrard Gosens, athletics is a team sport

Louise Savage competing in the Wheelchair Track 800m T54 final at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

Louise Sauvage waits for her chance in the 800m

"You thought, 'That's a pretty monumental change in people's thinking.'"

Scott Goodman talks about the attention on Sauvage and the Games

Greg Smith in action during the Wheelchair Track event at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

Greg Smith was on his way to three gold medals

Fabian Blattman picked up a full set of medals on the track

thletics - wheelchair racer Kurt Fearnley (AUS) with Australian flag

Kurt Fearnley launched his career at the Sydney Games

Lisa Lorens does a backflip during the High Jump event at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

Up in the air #2: Lisa Llorens’ celebration – almost as spectacular as her performance

Neil Fuller competes in the track at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

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

Australian track athlete Amy Winters celebrates her gold medal win at the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games, Day 08. This was either the 100 m T46 or 200 m T46 event (Winters won gold in both).

Amy Winters owned the women’s T46 sprints

Katrina Webb celebrates relay win with Alison Quinn infront of the home crowd.

Katrina Webb and Alison Quinn soak up the atmosphere after finishing 1-2 in the 100m

Athletics head coach Chris Nunn talk to athlete at the Sydney Summer Paralympics.

The face of success – athletics head coach Chris Nunn

"My only disappointment was, we couldn't take on the universe."

Chris Nunn on the reasons for Australia’s Sydney success

2002

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 3rd IPC World Athletics Championships,Lille, France, 6-16 August 2002.

Athletics World Championships 2002

2004

At the athletics, some familiar faces continued their winning ways

By enduring

By doing the same things…

And by doing them better three Games in a row

Australia soared to its best athletics ranking at an away Games

Relays are a traditional strength for Australian teams

Smiles before the start of the women’s 800m final – Sauvage vs Petitclerc

Or a place for one of the great performances of the Games

2006

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 4th IPC World Athletics Championships, Assen, Netherlands, 2-10 September 2006.

Athletics World Championships 2006

2008

Lisa McIntosh Sprints Away in 100m Final

Richard Colman Competing in the T53 400m Final

Chris Mullins crosses the finish line in the 400m final

Chris Mullins at the start for the 400m final

Julie Smith crosses the finish line in the 100m final

2011

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 5th IPC World Athletics Championships, Christchurch, New Zealand, 21-30 January 2011.

Athletics World Championships 2011

2013

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 6th IPC World Athletics Championships, Lyon, France, 19-28 July 2013.

Athletics World Championships 2013

2015

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 7th IPC World Athletics Championships, Doha, Qatar, 21-31 October 2015.

Athletics World Championships 2015

2017

Our stories

Australian results at the 8th World Para Athletics Championships, London, 14-23 July 2017.

Athletics World Championships 2017

2019

Our stories

Australian team and results at the 9th World Para Athletics Championships, Dubai 7-15 November 2019 and Marathon events held as part of the London Marathon, 28 March 2019.