Elite sports unit uncovers Australia’s next Paralympic stars

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A series of elite sports units have been set up across the country to uncover Australia's next wave of Paralympic stars, funded by Paralympics Australia and the Australian Institute of Sport. One former champion working with athletes in South Australia has described the $54 million investment as the "most important thing to happen to Paralympic sport".

Transcript

00:00Two-time Paralympic Cycling gold medalist Emily Petricola knows what it takes to reach

00:06the top.

00:07Now she's empowering the next generation.

00:09Emily Petricola We're also really trying to create a really

00:12strong pathway for any individual living with a disability to get involved in sport at the

00:18grassroots level and then all the way through to the very peak at Paralympics.

00:22Since the unit opened in December last year, it's identified over a dozen athletes with

00:27disability across a range of sports.

00:30It's one of five similar units that are now operating across the country.

00:33This investment is the most important thing to happen to Parasport in its history.

00:37It's about time but it's also well needed and really well received.

00:42A sporting career was never on the cards for Kirsty Maiden.

00:46Now the 35-year-old is showing promise in kayaking and hopes to make a splash at the LA and Brisbane

00:51Games.

00:52It'd be really special.

00:54Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps.

00:56Because most people at my age would be retiring from sport.

00:58So for me starting sport at my age is sort of a bit like, oh it's a bit daunting.

01:03Kirsty has no shortage of inspiration, including para transition coach Jed Olschwager.

01:08A late starter himself, Olschwager won Paralympic gold in Paris at 36.

01:14We can do with the para unit to help facilitate and connect those people to those sports.

01:18An exciting future for those who dream of green and gold.

01:21Taylor Harvey, ABC News.

01:26You can keep working from left to town.

01:28Neil Balch.

01:29He needs to help Kyle tell you

01:30Dr.

01:39We won't be coming back anymore.

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