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Premier and Minister for the Olympics The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk Minister for Tourism, Innovation and Sport and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe |
Queenslanders continue to share the spirit of the green and gold runway, as we mark 10 years until we welcome more than 8,000 athletes and officials at the opening ceremony of the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games.
Premier and Minister for the Olympics Annastacia Palaszczuk said hosting Brisbane 2032 will provide opportunities to achieve new standards for Queenslanders living with disability.
"The Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games will drive conversations and inspire action towards a more inclusive, diverse, and accessible landscape for people living with disability,' the Premier said.
"There are more than 260,000 Queenslanders living with disability and more than 474,000 carers supporting them.
"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.
"Queensland Para-athletes are already thriving on the world stage, winning two gold, six silver and six bronze at the recent Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Their contribution puts Australia as the lead in Para-sports amongst the 72 nations that competed.
"And in 2032, I can't wait to cheer on our Queensland Paralympians in their chosen sports."
Sport Minister and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympic and Paralympic Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe said a Queensland-wide search was underway for promising new para-athletes.
"We want to discover and nurture our next generation of elite para-athletes to be podium ready for the 2032 Paralympic Games on Queensland soil," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"The Queensland Academy of Sport's (QAS) Youfor2032 talent identification program is the nation's biggest, and next month starts testing para-athletes in eight Paralympic sports.
"From archery and swimming to triathlon, wheelchair basketball or wheelchair rugby, we're looking for dozens of para-athletes to represent Queensland on the world stage.
"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.
"It doesn't where you live in our vast State, if you're ambitious for a place on Queensland's green and gold runway to the 2032 Games, it's not too late to register for Youfor2032."
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer, Catherine Clark said the next ten years will be about strengthening the pathways through which we find these amazing, talented and aspiring athletes.
"Then we work to ensure that the system is connected at all levels so no one gets left behind,' Ms Clark said.
"There are 4.3 million Australians living with disability yet only one in four participates in sport, while 75 per cent want to participate. Programs such as Youfor2032 are important to encourage greater awareness and participation in sport.
"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.
