This week marks the start of the 2024 Paris Paralympics – which have run parallel to the Olympics since the 1960s (officially). Running from 28 August 2024 – 8 September 2024, this year's edition will bring together as many as 4,400 athletes from across the globe to compete. This year's competition has also been heralded by ABC News as the most gender-inclusive to date, with Paris playing host to more female athletes than ever before.
The Summer Paralympic Games feature 22 sports, with Australian Paralympians set to compete in 17 of them. There are also a few sports unique to Paralympics Games – among them, Para-powerlifting, Boccia, and Goalball – and with badminton and taekwondo making their debut.
Australia's Paralympic team for Paris will consist of 160 athletes competing across 17 of the 22 sports. Of the team, 61 athletes will be making their Paralympic debut. With so many new faces (and a couple of legendary returning athletes) to get to know, we decided we'd highlight ten of the faces and names you should be committing to memory before the games kick off.
1. Rhiannon Clarke (Para Athletics)
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Rhiannon Clarke is set to represent Australia in the women’s T38 100m at the Paris Paralympics. At just 22 years old, this will mark her sixth major competition, adding to her impressive record as a three-time World Championship medallist. (At the age of just 15, Clarke won silver at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games.) While Clarke is fiercely competitive on the track, having been born with cerebral palsy, her true passion lies in inspiring others to embrace their disabilities.
2. Telaya Blacksmith (Para Athletics)
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Telaya Blacksmith is set to make her Paralympic debut at the 2024 Paris Games, representing Australia in the women’s T38 100m and long jump events. As a rising star in para-athletics, she has quickly made a name for herself with her speed and agility, earning a place among Australia’s top Paralympic hopefuls. Beyond the competition, Blacksmith is passionate about raising awareness for Indigenous athletes with disabilities, using her platform to inspire and empower others – she is one of four Indigenous athletes competing at the Paralympics for Australia.
3. Madison de Rozario (Para Athletics)
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A seasoned competitor, de Rozario will be participating in her fifth Paralympic Games. She is a gold medalist in events like the 800m T53 and marathon T54, making her one of Australia’s top contenders. Rozario is a powerful advocate for people with disabilities, and made history as the first Australian woman to win the women's wheelchair race in the New York Marathon, highlighting her versatility across various distances.
4. Curtis McGrath (Para Canoe)
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Curtis McGrath, a former combat engineer in the Australian Army, lost both his legs in Afghanistan in 2012 and remarkably turned his tragedy into triumph by becoming a world-class para canoeist. Since his Paralympic debut at Rio in 2016, McGrath inspired many with his resilience and commitment to the sport, serving as a motivational speaker and advocate for adaptive sports. McGrath is already a three-time gold medalist, but will be looking to add more to his collection in Paris.
5. Shae Graham (Para Rugby)
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Shae Graham made history as the first woman to represent Australia in wheelchair rugby at the Paralympics, a significant milestone for the sport. Her journey into wheelchair rugby began somewhat by chance after a bet with her brother, which led her to embrace the sport with passion and dedication. Beyond her athletic career, Graham works as a librarian, showcasing her ability to balance her professional life with her commitment to being a trailblazer in wheelchair rugby.
6. Alistair Donohoe (Para Cyling)
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Alistair Donohoe, an elite para-cyclist, competes in the C5 classification due to a freak accident at age 15 that almost cost him his right arm. Despite this challenge, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional talent and resilience, highlighted by his comeback after a dramatic crash during the Rio 2016 Paralympics. In the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Donohoe aims to turn his past setbacks into successes, focusing on events like the 400m Individual Pursuit MC5 and the road race.
7. Ameera Lee (Para Archery)
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Ameera Lee, competing in para-archery, lives with multiple sclerosis, a condition she was diagnosed with after initially pursuing a career in education. Despite these challenges, Lee secured her spot for the Paris 2024 Paralympics by excelling in the 2018 Para-archery European Circuit, making this her first appearance at the Summer Games.
8. Lauren Parker (Para Triathalon)
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After winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Parker returns to the global stage in Paris, aiming to upgrade her medal to gold. Known for her resilience, Parker has been a dominant force in para triathlon, overcoming a severe spinal cord injury that left her paralysed from the waist down. She quickly transitioned to excelling in para-triathlons, winning a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.
9. Tristan Knowles (Wheelchair Basketball)
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Tristan Knowles, a veteran wheelchair basketball player, is heading into his sixth Paralympic Games with the Australian Rollers, showcasing his enduring talent and leadership on the court. Known for his scoring ability and tactical intelligence, he has been instrumental in the Rollers' success over the years, contributing to their gold medal win in Beijing 2008 and silver in London 2012. Beyond his athletic career, Knowles is also a passionate advocate for disability sports, using his platform to inspire and mentor the next generation of athletes.
10. Ahmed Kelly (Para Swimming)
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Known for his determination and infectious energy, Kelly is a seasoned Paralympian with multiple Games under his belt. He will be looking to secure his first Paralympic medal in Paris. Often referred to as "Liquid Nails" for his unwavering determination, was born in Iraq with severely underdeveloped arms and legs and was adopted by an Australian humanitarian worker. Competing in the SB3 classification for breaststroke, Kelly has been a prominent figure in para swimming, known not just for his athletic achievements but also for his inspiring journey from an Iraqi orphanage to the world stage.
