Thousands of athletes with disabilities from around the globe have descended on the French capital for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
From 29 August to 9 September (AEST), Australia’s 160-strong contingent will compete in 17 of the event’s 22 sports.
One athlete in the green and gold will be taking part in their eighth Paralympics, while 61 others (38 per cent of the team) will be making their debut.
Four of the Paralympians representing Australia in Paris are Indigenous — the equal highest number since 1992, while 27 were born overseas.
These are some of Australia’s top medal contenders and up-and-comers to watch this Paralympics.
Para-athletics
While swimming is where Australia shines at the Olympics, our most successful Paralympic sport is athletics.
Wheelchair racer and world-record holder Madison De Rozario, competing in the women’s 800m T53, is one of the biggest names.
During her five Paralympic appearances, the 30-year-old has won two gold medals, three silver, and a bronze — and was given the honour of being a flag bearer at .
Madison De Rozario won her first Paralympic gold medal at the Tokyo Games. Source: AAP / Simon Bruty
For fellow wheelchair racer Angie Ballard, who is co-captain of Team Australia, this Games will be her seventh.
Since making her Paralympic debut in front of a home crowd in 2000 in Sydney, the 42-year-old has gone on to win four silver and four bronze medals.
She’ll be looking to secure an elusive gold when she takes to the track in Paris.
Also expected to make an impression is 16-year-old Telaya Blacksmith, who will be making her Paralympic debut.
The Warlpiri woman currently holds several Australian records in sprinting and long jump and is seeking to replicate that success on the world stage.
Para-swimming
Australia’s other opening ceremony flag bearer, Brendan Hall, is one to watch in the pool.
The five-time Paralympian won two gold medals and one bronze in London and a gold, silver and bronze in Rio — but didn’t manage to secure a spot on the podium in Tokyo.
The 31-year-old will be looking to redeem himself when he hits the water in Paris.
The 30-strong swimming squad also features the likes of Rowan Crothers, Thomas Gallagher, Lakeisha Patterson, and Alexa Leary, alongside Team Australia’s youngest female and male athletes this Games, Holly Warn and Callum Simpson.
Callum Simpson is the youngest male Paralympian representing Australia in Paris. Source: AAP / Darren England
Boccia
One of two Paralympic sports without an Olympic equivalent, Australia’s boccia team enters the Paris Games as world No.1 in both the BC3 individual and BC3 pairs events.
That’s largely down to the work of Daniel Michel, whose individual bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics was Australia’s first medal in boccia since 1996 and only the second ever.
Joining him in the mixed pair BC3 event will be fellow Australian Jamieson Leeson, who’s also seeking individual Paralympic success.
When she was just 16 years old, she became the youngest person ever to represent Australia in boccia, and most recently won a gold and silver medal at the 2022 World Championships.
Michel and Leeson’s respective ramp operators Ashlee Maddern and Jasmine Haydon will also be along for the ride in Paris.
Daniel Michel is one of two Australians competing in boccia events in Paris. Source: Getty / Koki Nagahama
Para-table tennis
Australia’s Paralympic table tennis team had its greatest medal success in Tokyo, securing two gold medals and four silver.
Reigning gold medallists Qian Yang and Lina Lei are among those in Australia’s 12-member squad in Paris — the second largest to ever represent the nation.
Another player to watch is Melissa Tapper, who will be taking part in her fourth Paralympics having just competed in her third Olympics. She made history in Rio as the first Australian to qualify for and has her sights set on a gold medal after winning silver at the Tokyo Paralympics.
Qian Yang won a gold medal at the Tokyo Paralympics. Source: Getty / Buda Mendes
Wheelchair rugby
Shae Graham made history when she became the first first female athlete to represent Australia in wheelchair rugby.
After being the sole woman playing for the Steelers in Tokyo, two more are joining her in Paris: Emilie Miller and Ella Sabljak.
One of the best wheelchair rugby teams in the world, Australia secured consecutive gold medals in London and Rio before a semi-final defeat against the United States in Tokyo.
Graham, a librarian by day, is hoping to lead the Steelers to redemption in Paris.
Shae Graham (left) was the first female to represent Australian in wheelchair rugby. Source: Getty / Alex Pantling
Para-cycling
In Tokyo, Amanda Reid became the first Australian woman to win a Paralympic gold medal in cycling.
The Gurinagi and Wamba Wamba woman is looking to repeat that performance in Paris – her third Games since transitioning from swimming — as well as inspiring the next generation of Indigenous athletes.
Joining her in the quest for cycling gold is three-time Paralympian Alistair Donahoe.
The five-time track world champion and four-time road world champion already has three silver and one bronze Paralympic medals to his name.
A full list of the Australians competing in the Paralympics can be found .
With additional reporting by Sydney Lang
