SIX WA ATHLETES CONFIRMED FOR THE 2024 PARIS PARALYMPIC GAMES
Published Wed 17 Jul 2024
Paralympics Australia has confirmed six WA athletes are set to join a 34-strong athletics team in Paris at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.
WA is proudly represented by six exceptional athletes with Tokyo gold medallist Madison de Rozario, Commonwealth Games silver medallist Rhiannon Clarke, Tokyo bronze medallist Sarah Edmiston, Rio bronze medallists Ella Pardy and Chad Perris and Paralympic debutant Jackson Hamilton all confirmed.
WA’s Madison de Rozario has been selected by Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin to carry the nation’s flag in the Opening Ceremony alongside swimmer Brenden Hall.
Honoured by the announcement, the six-time Paralympic medallist said she was moved by the invitation.
“I love our Paralympic team because of who we are as athletes. But, also, the personalities that we see come out of it, they are some of the best,” she said.
“Those post-race interviews, the interviews leading in, the integrity with which our Paralympians approach sport, it’s unlike anything else.
“To get to march out into the stadium representing that team, that’s all I want to do and that’s all we do as individuals, in the green and gold, competing.
“I’ve seen the people who’ve done it before, and it feels odd to be in that same space. Right now, it feels like it doesn’t quite fit. But maybe when my career’s done it’ll make a bit more sense than it does right now.”
Joining de Rozario in the Australian team is three-time World Championship medallist Rhiannon Clarke who is set to make her second appearance at the Paralympic Games. Clarke has crushed several National and Oceania records in the T38 100m and 400m since Tokyo and will be looking to leave it all on the track in Paris.
Training partner and three-time Paralympian Ella Pardy will join the team alongside Clarke racing in the T38 100m. A regular on the National Team since 2014, Pardy is the most experienced of the WA Athletes with her most memorable athletics experience claiming bronze at the 2016 Paralympics in the 4x100m Relay.
Stalwart of the sport, Sarah Edmiston will return to the Australian Paralympic Team to compete in the Women’s F44 Discus. Ranked number one in 2020 and going on to claim bronze at the Tokyo Paralympics, Edmiston will be looking to continue her slew of podium finishes when she steps onto the field at the Paris Paralympic Games.
Returning to the Australian Paralympic team for the third time is Australia’s fastest Paralympic Athlete, Chad Perris. The four-time World Championship medallist will be a fierce contender in the T13 100m, with the ‘White Tiger’ looking to nab a second Paralympic medal in Paris.
Off the back of an impressive domestic season, Australian Champion and national record holder, Jackson Hamilton will make his Paralympic Debut in Paris when he contests the men’s F13 Javelin event, looking to replicate his qualifying performance earlier this year.
The complete roster of athletes bound for the Paris 2024 Paralympics can be found HERE.
The Paris Paralympics will be held from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 8th September. The athletics will be held from August 30 until September 8.
Track and Field events will take place at Stade de France in Paris-Saint-Denis and the Marathon events will be held in the heart of Paris, finishing at Invalides.
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By Imogen McDonald (Athletics West)
Additional media by Paralympics Australia and Athletics Australia.
Posted 17 July 2024
