NSW shines in Paralympic medal tally

30 September 2008

Premier Nathan Rees today congratulated ’ Paralympic athletes who returned from with an impressive 48 medals.

The Premier said we should all be proud of the 37 athletes from NSW who contributed to ’s final tally of 79 medals.

“Not only are they world class athletes but they are outstanding role models for us all,” Mr Rees said.

“NSW athletes returned with 16 gold, 18 silver and 14 bronze medals,” he said.

The Paralympic team featured two of New South Wales’ Don’t DIS my ABILITY ambassadors – Athletics gold medallist from Carcoar and Beacon Hill medal- winning cyclist Lindy Hou.

“As ambassadors, Kurt Fearnley and Lindy Hou spread the message that people with a disability can lead everyday lives,” Mr Rees said.

“They – like their team mates returning from Beijing – are an inspiration to others.

“Every person who competed in the Paralympics returns to Australia a winner and an ambassador for people with a disability.

“Their hard work, sacrifice and determination have been rewarded as they compete with the best athletes in the world.”

Minister for Disability Services said the Paralympians were an inspiration to the State’s 1.3 million people living with a disability.

“People with a disability can do anything – the efforts of our Paralympians are proof of that,” Mr Lynch said.

Minister for Sport and Recreation Kevin Greene said the New South Wales Institute of Sport had played a role in supporting the 36 athletes.

“The Institute has been part of the Paralympic journey, providing scholarships and programs to give our athletes the support they need to perform to their capacity on the world stage,” Mr Greene said.

Athlete profiles are available at www.paralympic.org.au

NSW Paralympian Medal Winners Name Medal Sport Sex Event Class Silver Athletics Women 4x100m Relay /54 Silver Athletics Women 4x100m Relay T53/54 Kath Proudfoot Silver Athletics Women Discus Throw F35/36 Kurt Fearnley Silver Athletics Men 5000m Kurt Fearnley Silver Athletics Men 800m T54 Kurt Fearnley Bronze Athletics Men 1500m T54 Kurt Fearnley Gold Athletics Men Marathon T54 Brendan Dowler Gold Basketball Men Gold Basketball Men Gold Basketball Men Bronze Basketball Women Bronze Basketball Women Bronze Basketball Women Sarah Stewart, Bronze Basketball Women Tina McKenzie Bronze Basketball Women Gold Basketball Men Troy Sachs Gold Basketball Men Ben Demery Silver Cycling Track Men 1km Time Trial B&VI Ben Demery Silver Cycling Track Men Sprint B&VI Jayme Paris Bronze Cycling Track Women 500m Time Trial LC3-4/CP3 Lindy Hou Bronze Cycling Track Women 1km Time Trial B&VI Lindy Hou Silver Cycling Track Women Individual Pursuit B&VI Shaun Hopkins Silver Cycling Track Men 1km Time Trial B&VI Shaun Hopkins Silver Cycling Track Men Sprint B&VI Toireasa Gallagher Bronze Cycling Track Women 1km Time Trial B&VI Toireasa Gallagher Silver Cycling Track Women Individual Pursuit B&VI John McLean Silver Rowing Mixed Double Sculls TA Silver Rugby Mixed Bronze Women 100m Butterfly S9 Ben Austin Silver Swimming Men 4x100m Freestyle Relay 34pts Ben Austin Gold Swimming Men 4x100m Medley Relay 34 pts Bronze Swimming Women 100m Freestyle S8 Jacqueline Freney Bronze Swimming Women 400m Freestyle S8 Jacqueline Freney Bronze Swimming Women 50m Freestyle S8 Peter Leek Silver Swimming Men 4x100m Freestyle Relay 34pts Peter Leek Gold Swimming Men 4x100m Medley Relay 34 pts Peter Leek Gold Swimming Men 100m Butterfly S8 Peter Leek Bronze Swimming Men 100m Freestyle S8 Peter Leek Silver Swimming Men 100m Backstroke S8 Peter Leek Gold Swimming Men 200m Ind Medley SM8 Peter Leek Silver Swimming Men 400m Freestyle S8 Peter Leek Silver Swimming Men 50m Freestyle S8 Evan O'Hanlon Gold Athletics Men 100m T38 Evan O'Hanlon Gold Athletics Men 200m T38 Evan O'Hanlon Gold Athletics Men 4x100m Relay T35-38 Gold Swimming Men 4x100m Medley Relay 34 pts Rick Pendleton Gold Swimming Men 200m Ind Medley SM10 Gold Swimming Men 4x100m Medley Relay 34pts(Heats)