Australia’s track and field team for the Paris Paralympics has been further bolstered by 24 athletes – including 10 Victorians – after Paralympics Australia confirmed a second group to represent the nation at the Games.
The athletes joined the eight track and field competitors who were selected in April – and are set to showcase their exceptional talents on the biggest stage.
Selected for his third Paralympics, Jaryd Clifford has his sights firmly set on the T12/13 1500m and 5000m.
“As a kid, I had many dreams. I’ve ticked some of them off and some are yet to come, but the most important dream was to become a Paralympian. ‘Kid me’ would be pinching himself to find out that I’ll be going to a third Paralympic Games. It means everything to me that I get to pull on the hallowed green and gold of the Australian Paralympic uniform,” Clifford said.
“In Paris, I want to stand on that start line and have that be the only place in the world where I want to be in that moment. I want to race with the courage of having fallen short in Tokyo but having got back up and kept pushing on. The dream is gold, but I just want to make sure I give it my everything.”
Coming off a strong 2023 season including a throw of 16.25m that raised her own Australian Javelin Record, Dayna Crees is looking to go even better in Paris.
“Making the Australian Paralympic team is such an amazing achievement and I am so proud of all the hard work my team and I have done over the years to make my dream a reality. My main goal for the games is to achieve a PB and anything beyond that will be a bonus as well as soaking in every moment and enjoying myself everyday!”
Fellow thrower Ella Hose is making her Paralympic debut, off the back of yet another PB in April’s National Championships.
“I’m so honoured to have been selected, it’s such a dream come true and I’ve worked really hard to get to this point! Once I get to Paris I think the biggest goal would be for me to throw PBs in both my events and walk away knowing I gave it my all.”
Athletics Victoria would like to wish athletes all the best in their final preparations and for Paris 2024 – we look forward to cheering them on next month. Congratulations, and go VIC!
Victorian Athletes:
Jaryd Clifford (Philo Saunders), T13 1500m, 5000m
Annabelle Colman (Liz Gosper and Anthony de Castella), T20 1500m
Dayna Crees (Gordon Talbot), F34 javelin throw, shot put
Guy Henly (Dale Stevenson), F37 discus throw
Ella Hose (John Eden), F37 shot put
Nicholas Hum (John Boas), T20 long jump
Tim Logan, Guide runner for Jaryd Clifford
Samuel McIntosh (Fred Periac), T52 100m
Samuel Rizzo (Richard Colman), T54 1500m, 5000m
Maria Strong (John Eden), F33 shot put
Reece Langdon (Tim O’Shaughessy), T38 1500m
Michal Burian (Nick Baltas), F44 javelin throw