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Thrilling opportunities and endless possibilities were the main themes at a star-studded event in Brisbane on Saturday where the nation’s 10 Year Green and Gold Runway to Brisbane 2032 was celebrated.
More than 10,000 people shared in the festivities at South Bank Parklands, which included cultural performances, information stalls and sporting demonstrations featuring some of Australia’s most outstanding athletes.
The event was delivered by the Australian and Queensland Governments, Brisbane City Council, the Australian Olympic Committee and Paralympics Australia.
“Walking around South Bank and seeing the faces of these kids, it makes it a reality that this is our Games and it’s ours for the taking,” Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark said.
“We talk about people with a disability and the Paralympic Games but what our athletes do is they make you focus on the abilities you have, making the most of what you’ve got. It’s as big as the dreams you have. I think that’s the magic of the Paralympic Games.”
Clark outlined Paralympics Australia’s two priorities along the runway to the Brisbane Games.
“The first one is to select and take a team to the Paralympic Games,” she said. “But the other is creating the systems, creating the pathways, through which we find these amazing, talented and aspiring athletes. Then we work with the system to ensure that no one gets left behind.
“Let’s face it, Australians love to win. We want to make sure that we are on podiums at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. So Paralympics Australia is about nurturing this talent and creating an inclusive Australia that celebrates all of its diversity. That’s going to be a really key role for us across the next 10 years.”
Two-time Paralympic swimming gold medallist Rachael Watson said the lead-up to the Brisbane Games would “open up so many doors for all of us”.
“When they come to an event like this, they have the ability to go ‘Oh wow, this could me’ and ‘How do I get involved?’ It sparks a fire inside them and it’s fantastic to see people thinking ‘This person’s like me and I can do what they do,’ Watson said.
“People are happy to be here and happy to be social and get excited that this whole thing in 10 years is actually going to happen and it’s going to happen here.”
Dozens of Paralympians and Olympians attended the event which showcased 14 sports and emphasised the message that participation in sport delivered a range of health benefits for everyone, regardless of their ability.
Paralympic medal winning canoeist AJ Jennings said events like the one in Brisbane on Saturday gave “people a better perspective on what’s possible and it brings out a younger group of people with disabilities. Then they’ve got somewhere to grow, to feel something to work towards.”
Saturday marked 10 years to go until the Opening Ceremony of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games. The Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games will open on August 24.
By: David Sygall, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 25 July 2022
