Ten years to go: How Brisbane Paralympic Games can drive change

The search is on for the next generation of Queensland star para-athletes, as the ten-year countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games begins.

The search is on for the next generation of Queensland star para-athletes, as the ten-year countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games begins.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said with more than 260,000 Queenslander’s living with a disability, hosting the games would drive conversations and action to create a more inclusive landscape for people living with disability.

“Brisbane 2032 can be the platform to encourage businesses to embrace inclusion, provide public spaces and precincts that are universally designed and promote a society that is inclusive for all, regardless of age, background, gender or ability,” she said,

Ms Palaszczuk said Sunshine State elite para-athletes were already shining on the world stage, with local athletes bringing home two gold, six silver and six bronze medals from the recent Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

(L-R) Para-athletes Lachlan Farlow, Hamish Lilley, Chris Bond, Tristan Orchard, Rowan Crothers, and Phoebe Finlay. Picture: Liam Kidston

Next month the Queensland Academy of Sport’s Youfor2032 talent identification program will begin testing para-athletes in eight Paralympic sport including triathlon, archery, wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and swimming.

Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the search was on for dozens of potential athletes to be “podium ready” for the Games on Queensland soil.

“We’re off to a great start with more than 40 young Queenslanders with Paralympic ambition this week meeting with Youfor2032 coaches to explore possibilities,” he said.

Paralympics Australia chief executive Catherine Clark said the coming decade would be about the pathways through which we find these amazing, talented and aspiring athletes.

She said while there were 4.3m Aussies living with disability, only one in four participate in sport — but 75 per cent would like to.

“These programs also help break down the societal stereotypes and biases to increase social inclusion and community connection for people with a disability,” Ms Clark said.