Paralympic Countdown

Of the 170 Australian athletes that will be competing at the  Paralympic Games, the NSWIS will be represented by 36 members, which makes up just over 20% of the Australian team.

Attention will be centered around NSWIS athletes with several returning for more success after their efforts in Athens and Sydney.

Kurt Fearnley will be one man hoping to stack up the medals, lining up in a staggering five events over the course of the wheelchair track and road competition. He will be trying to back up his memorable gold medal effort in the marathon on the last day of competition.

Ben Austin rose to glory at the Athens Games winning a total of six medals, which included two gold in the 100m freestyle and the 4x100m medley relay. Austin will compete in five events in Beijing and will be hopeful of adding to his swag of medals. NSWIS will have eight other swimmers competing in Beijing and the pool will no doubt be the centre of attention during the games.

The NSWIS will combine a strong mix of youth and experience during the Beijing Paralympics. We will boast 12 Paralympians debutants, which will be helped by the likes of Christie Dawes and Troy Sachs, who will be attending their fourth and fifth games respectively.