Meet the NT’s Paralympians Tom O’Neill-Thorne and Telaya Blacksmith

With just a day to go until the Paralympic Games begin, we’ve taken a closer look at the NT athletes competing in Paris. Read about them and when to catch them in action here.

The Paralympics are finally upon us and two Territorians will be in the thick of the action as they represent the nation in Paris.

After the disappointing outcomes for NT hockey power-couple Jeremy Hayward and Brooke Peris alongside Tom Wickham who were members of the medal-less Kookaburras and Hockeyroos, the NT’s hopes now lie in the hands of Tom O’Neill-Thorne and Telaya Blacksmith.

Meet the pair and see when they’ll be competing below.

Tom O’Neill-Thorne

Tom O'Neill-Thorne was named player of the finals series after leading the Darwin Salties to back-to-back championships.

Sport: Wheelchair Basketball (Rollers)

Schedule: Game 1 – Friday, Aug. 30 at 5am vs. Netherlands, Game 2 – Friday, Aug. 30 at 8.15pm vs. Spain, Game 3 – Sunday, Sept. 1 at 6pm vs. USA

A proud Darwinite, this will be O’Neill-Thorne’s third games having competed at Rio and Tokyo.

The Territorian is an established member of the Australian team and is in great form having just taken out the 2024 NWBL title with the Darwin Salties for the second consecutive season, and was named MVP of the finals.

O’Neill-Thorne is part of a contingent which is hungrier than ever to break the Rollers’ medal drought, and he believes 2024 is their year.

The Aussies knocked off the Canadians 91-73 in their first warm-up five days ago and then defeated the French 73-53 a day later.

And the Top End talent will have some familiar faces on the court in Paris as one of four Salties in the side.

O’Neill-Thorne will be accompanied by teammates Jaylen Brown, Jannik Blair and Sammy White.

Telaya Blacksmith

Telaya Blacksmith from Sutherland powers to victory. Picture: Julian Andrews.

Sport: Para Athletics

Class: T20

Event: 400m, Long Jump

Schedule: 400m Round 1 – Tuesday, Sept. 3 at 3.50am, Long Jump Final – Saturday, Sept. 7, at 3.20am

At just 16 years old, Blacksmith is one of the youngest athletes off to the games for Australia.

A proud Warlpiri woman who was born in the Territory, the track star moved to NSW with her family at a young age.

Still in school, Blacksmith is currently enrolled at Endeavour High School, a sports school with a rich history of producing Olympic and Paralympic athletes.

Blacksmith is the current Australian record holder for T20 under 15, 17 and 20 100m, 200m and long jump.

In addition, she is also the holder of T20 400m under 17, 20 and open records.

Originally published as Meet the NT’s Paralympians Tom O’Neill-Thorne and Telaya Blacksmith