More athletes named for Rio 2016

The Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team, and Canada’s boccia and sailing teams for September’s Paralympic Games have been announced. 19 Jul 2016

Shaun Norris competes at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

ⒸIPC Credit

By Australian Paralympic Committee and Canadian Paralympic Committee

Australia have announced their 12-strong men’s wheelchair basketball team, and Canada have nominated six boccia players and six sailors for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Reigning world champions Australia will be looking to improve on their London 2012 wheelchair basketball silver medal performance at Rio 2016.

“Every time I hear the word London, for whatever reason, it takes me back to that final and it burns,” said team’s captain Brad Ness.

“I hate the feeling it stirs inside of me, but it has given me motivation to come back and make amends for what happened in the final.

“We have learnt a lot since then and I am going to make sure I do everything I can to never have to feel that again, and if that is hunger, then I am starving.”

Tristan Knowles, Shaun Norris, Brett Stibners and Tige Simmons are the other remaining members of the team that claimed gold at Beijing 2008, whilst Jannik Blair and Bill Latham will return after making their Paralympic debut in London.

Josh Allison, Adam Deans, Matt McShane, Tom O’Neill-Thorne and Shawn Russell will all have their first Paralympic experience in Rio.

Athens 2004 champion Paul Gauthier and London 2012 bronze medallist Marco Dispaltro will be part of Canada’s boccia team at Rio 2016, alongside Paralympic debutants Iulian Ciobanu, Alison Levine, Eric Bussiere and Marylou Martineau.

“All six athletes are a pleasure to work with, they are confident and they look forward to facing the challenges of the Paralympic Games,” said head coach Mario Delisle.

“The last performance for many of these athletes at the international level looked great and I can feel everyone’s excitement. Some important fine tuning work is ahead in July and August, ensuring our team will be a force to reckon with in September.”

Canada will also have sailors in each of the classes, with Bruce Millar competing in the 2.4m Norlin OD one-person keelboat, Jackie Gay and John McRoberts in the SKUD18 two-person keelboat and Logan Campbell, Scott Lutes and Paul Tingley in the sonar three-person keelboat.

“John (McRoberts) and Paul (Tingley) both came very close to the podium in their respective events in London and I am sure they are going into Rio extremely driven and focused,” said Team Canada Chef de Mission Chantal Petitclerc.

“Their experience should be very beneficial to their crews.”

Australia wheelchair basketball

Brad Ness

Tristan Knowles

Shaun Norris

Tige Simmons

Brett Stibners

Jannik Blair

Bill Latham

Josh Allison

Adam Deans

Matthew McShane