Seven Waikato athletes are part of the New Zealand Paralympic Team preparing to give Kiwis ‘Something to Talk About’ at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games after the flame ignited at the glittering Opening Ceremony on Thursday morning (NZT).
New Zealand Paralympic Team ready to give Kiwis ‘Something to Talk About’
Waikato Herald
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Cambridge-based para cyclists Anna Taylor (left) and Nicole Murray are competing at the Paralympics once again. Photo / George Novak
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The New Zealand Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Raylene Bates described welcoming ceremonies as emotional for team members.
“The New Zealand Paralympic Team is raring to go, and we all are excited for the competition ahead,” Bates said.
“The athletes have been training hard for the past three years to perform at their best for this pinnacle event and our goal is to provide the best possible team environment to allow them to achieve their goals.
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“It is always hard to make too many predictions in elite sport, but we cannot ask much more of athletes than to achieve a PB or make a final – to win any medal is just the icing on the cake.
“We are looking forward to the Kiwi athletes giving people ‘Something to Talk About’ in the French capital.”
Paris 2024 - Waikato Paralympians:
Danielle Aitchison – Paralympian No 211
Born: August 16, 2001
Based: Hamilton (originally from Patetonga)
Para Sport: Para athletics
Event: 100m; 200m
Coach: Alan McDonald
Eligible Impairment: Ataxia
Health Condition: Cerebral palsy
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Classification: T36
Games Year: Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020
Medals Won: 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
Devon Briggs – Paralympic debut
Born: January 13, 2004
Based: Cambridge
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Para Sport: Para cycling
Event: Track – 1000m Time Trial; Track – 3000m Individual Pursuit; Road Time Trial Road Race
Coach: Damian Wiseman
Eligible Impairment: Impaired range of movement
Health Condition: Bilateral talipes (club feet)
Classification: C3
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Games Year: Paris 2024
Wojtek Czyz – Paralympic debut
Born: July 30, 1980
Based: Hamilton
Event: Para badminton
Para Sport: Para badminton
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Coach: Marianne Loh
Eligible Impairment: Limb deficiency
Health Condition: Above knee amputee
Classification: SL3
Games Year: Paris 2024
Nicole Murray – Paralympian No 222
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Born: October 12, 1992
Based: Cambridge (originally from Ōtorohanga)
Para Sport: Para cycling
Event: Track – 500m Time Trial; Track – 3000m Individual Pursuit; Road Race; Road Time Trial
Coach: Damian Wiseman
Eligible Impairment: Limb deficiency
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Health condition: left-hand amputee
Classification: C5
Games year: Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020
Jesse Reynolds – Paralympian No 205
Born: October 2, 1996
Based: Hamilton
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Para Sport: Para swimming
Event: Men’s 100m Backstroke S9
Coach: Simon Mayne
Eligible Impairment: Limb deficiency
Health Condition: Right femoral deficiency
Classification: S9, SB8, SM9
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Games Year: Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020, Rio 2016
Anna Taylor – Paralympian No 225
Born: August 7, 1991
Based: Cambridge (originally from Taupō)
Para Sport: Para cycling
Event: Track 3000m Individual Pursuit; Road Time Trial
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Coach: Damian Wiseman
Eligible Impairment: Loss of muscle power
Health Condition: Cauda equina syndrome (spinal cord injury)
Classification: C4
Games Year: Paris 2024, Tokyo 2020
Ben Westenberg – Paralympic debut
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Born: May 22, 2005
Based: Cambridge (originally from Tauranga)
Para Sport: Para cycling
Event: Track – 1000m Time Trial; Track – 4000m Individual Pursuit
Coach: Damian Wiseman
Eligible Impairment: Impaired range of movement
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Health Condition: Arthrogryposis
Classification: C4
Games Year: Paris 2024