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Para Track Athletes Selected for Paris

NSW Institute of Sport

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Australia’s track and field team for the Paris Paralympics has been bolstered by 24 athletes – including five NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athletes Luke Bailey, Rheed McCracken, Sarah Clifton-Bligh, Telaya Blacksmith and Rosemary Little – after Paralympics Australia confirmed a second group to represent the nation at the Games.

Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin announced the newest members of the Australian Paralympic Team in a ceremony held online and attended by Athletics Australia CEO Peter Bromley.

The athletes joined the eight track and field competitors who were selected in April, including NSWIS athletes Madison de Rozario and Mali Lovell.

Among the squad members set to make their debut is Telaya Blacksmith, a teenage star of T20 400m running, originally from the Walpiri community town of Lajamanu in the Northern Territory. Blacksmith would become Australia’s 16th Indigenous Australian Paralympian, one of whom, discus thrower Schmidt, was also announced in this group for Paris 2024.

Also among the debutants is T54 wheelchair racer Sam Rizzo who at an event in March secured his first A qualifying time by shaving nearly four seconds Fearnley’s 1500m national record, set in 2012.

“Last year in Paris (at the World Championships) in the 1500m I got close to it,” Rizzo said. “I knew it was there in the tank. I was able to get in a good race, get a good wheel and go flat out, and I managed to sneak under the time.”

Rizzo said Paralympic selection had been a goal since he started competing over a decade ago.

“It’s really nice to tick off a goal that I’ve been working really hard to reach over many years,” he said.

“I’ve still got a lot of work to get where I want to go, but it’s amazing and a very proud moment that all the hard work’s paid off, lots of training, lots of going around chasing times to be able to represent Australia at the Games.

“I’ve got a really good support team behind me and without them I definitely wouldn’t be heading over. Being part of the team representing Australia is amazing. I’ve got some good friends I’ll be competing with and be on the team with. I just want to soak it all up and see what we can do.”

McLoughlin, the Chef de Mission, welcomed the new members of the Australian Paralympic Team.

“Athletics is absolutely crucial to every Australian Paralympic campaign, so it’s a great pleasure to welcome these 24 athletes to our team for the Paris Games,” McLoughlin said.

“There are competitors in this group who have tasted the excitement of Paralympic competition and felt the sense of achievement of winning a medal or reaching their personal goals. Others will be experiencing the Paralympic Games for the first time.

“Whether it’s your seventh Games, like our amazing co-captain Angie Ballard, or your very first, the pride and expectation that comes with representing Australia is something I know all the athletes we’ve named today will rise to and treasure.

“Thank you to Athletics Australia and all those who have invested their time, energy and expertise to help these wonderful athletes progress and develop. To the athletes, congratulations on your appointment to the Australian Paralympic Team. We can’t wait to see you in action in Paris.”

Para-Athletics Phase 2 Announcement:

Corey Anderson, F38 javelin throw

Luke Bailey, T54 100m

Angela Ballard, T53 400m

Telaya Blacksmith, T20 400m

Matthew Clarke, Guide runner for Jaryd Clifford

Rhiannon Clarke, T38 100m, 400m

Jaryd Clifford, T13 1500m, 5000m

Sarah Clifton-Bligh, F32 shot put

Annabelle Colman, T20 1500m

Abby Craswell, T36 100m

Dayna Crees, F34 javelin throw, shot put