Elizabeth Wright

Nov 8, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elizabeth Wright

Tallow Ra's obsession with wheelchair basketball runs deep; it's all he can talk about. Earlier this year he even begged to stay home from a family holiday so he could keep training. The 12-year-old plays for the Hills Hornets in Sydney, after being introduced to the sport two years ago. "I think it's just the competitiveness and competing for something, it's really fun," Tallow said.

Sep 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elizabeth Wright

The Paralympics is the jewel in the crown for disabled athletes, the culmination of hard work and big dreams. They're also incredibly important because they provide a pathway to sport that, before the existence of the Games, was extremely limited for disabled people. But this year, two Paralympic athletes have achieved the "double double" of Paralympics and Olympic selection. Last month, Australian Melissa Tapper and Brazilian Bruna Alexandre, battled it out in the Olympic table tennis arena.

Sep 5, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elizabeth Wright

Here's a riddle for you — who can be a Para athlete without being disabled? Who can contribute to a Paralympic race or match win without receiving a medal for their hard work? Sighted guides on the track, pilots in the velodrome, and ramp operators on the court are considered the unsung heroes of the Paralympics. These guides and operators are a crucial part of the Games. Many athletes would be unable to compete without them and until recently, their hard work has been unacknowledged.

Sep 4, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elizabeth Wright

There are two things I remember from my first big swimming competition: being disqualified from the 50m breaststroke race after swimming the wrong stroke, and meeting hundreds of disabled athletes just like me. The disqualification didn't stop me from pursuing Paralympic representation. I made the team for the 1996 Atlanta and the Sydney 2000 Games, winning medals at both. But it was meeting other Para swimmers that had the biggest impact on my life.

Aug 29, 2024 | abc.net.au | Elizabeth Wright

The Paralympics are about to start in Paris and, with 30 swimmers selected for the Australian team, chances are looking good for a medal haul. Spearheaded by veteran Brenden Hall, in his fifth Games, and newcomer Alexa Leary, who delighted audiences at the selection trials earlier this year, there is an air of excitement around what this team could achieve.