Western Australia will equal its highest representation on the Australian Paralympic Team with 24 athletes competing at the Tokyo Paralympic Games, starting tomorrow (August 24).
WA athletes will compete in 10 sports in Tokyo, from athletics to wheelchair basketball and swimming to badminton.
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games' opening ceremony will be held on August 24, with events such as swimming, goalball, table tennis, fencing and basketball starting on August 25.
The proud Western Australian history in wheelchair basketball will continue, with WAIS' first dedicated Paralympic sport program delivering a record nine athletes across the men's and women's teams. At his fifth Games, Shaun Norris will captain The Rollers.
The McGowan Government has also provided direct financial support to all Western Australian athletes selected to the Australian Olympic and Paralympic teams.
Athletes have received a $4,000 payment which they and their support team can use to tailor the optimum training and support program on the road to the Games.
All but one of the athletes are Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS) scholarship holders or graduates, with the support from WAIS helping them achieve international sporting success.
The Tokyo Paralympics will take place between August 24, 2021 and September 5, 2021.
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Tony Buti:
"Congratulations to all of the WA athletes that have been selected for the Tokyo Paralympic Games - I wish them all the best in Tokyo.
"The immense preparation and training that has led our WA Paralympic athletes to this point during what's been an incredibly uncertain and difficult journey so far, is an inspiration to all Western Australians.
"At a grassroots level, we're striving to get more people involved in sport and ensuring everyone is able to have a go."
As stated by Disability Services Minister Don Punch:
"We congratulate all the Western Australian athletes selected for Tokyo and wish them the best of performances at the Games.
"Making sport accessible for all Western Australians is a key priority of the McGowan Government and we look forward to continuing our strong local representation as we lead up to Brisbane 2032."
As stated by WAIS CEO Steve Lawrence:
"To equal our best representation on the team is an amazing achievement and these athletes will be a source of pride and inspiration for us all.
"It is particularly pleasing for WAIS to have nine athletes selected in wheelchair basketball, with our first Paralympic sport program continuing to support our strong history in the sport."
