The first cohort of a new wave of Queensland Paralympic champions are on the starting blocks.
State Sports Minister Tim Mander said 20 athletes had recently joined the Queensland Academy of Sport’s (QAS) newly-established Para Unit.
Minister Mander said the Unit placed the athletes into the State’s first dedicated Para-sports pathway program providing tailored support for aspiring Para-athletes.
He said the 85 elite Para-athletes already supported by QAS remained in their current high-performance programs.
“The QAS Para Unit is the first of its kind in Queensland ensuring more athletes with disabilities can chase their dreams on the road to LA 2028 and the 2032 Games.
“We want to double the pipeline of future Queensland Paralympians and make 2032 our most successful Games yet.”
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Cameron Murray said this was a major milestone for Queensland sport and Para-sport nationwide.
“These exciting athletes are what it’s all about. They are pioneer beneficiaries of a strengthening pipeline that gives them the opportunity to realise their potential and chase their goals,” Mr Murray said.
“It would be wonderful to see some of them competing at the Paralympic Games next year in Milano Cortina, at LA 2028 and beyond.”
