Paralympics: Disabled NZ athletes aim for 12 golds at Rio

Sophie Pascoe celebrates a 100m freestyle world record at the 2015 New Zealand Open Swimming Championships. Photo / Simon Watts

Michael Johnson is a world champion air rifle shooter, a Paralympic gold medallist and ranked No 1 and 2 in the world in his disciplines.

Before a car accident 19 years ago, the Waiuku man had never been a marksman. Now he's among the best in the world. Ever heard of him? Unless you take a close interest in para sport, probably not.

Paralympics New Zealand launched its campaign yesterday for next year's Rio Paralympics - slogan: Spirit of Gold - and one of the initiatives involves bringing disabled sport into sharper national focus.

It knows it's not easy. Able-bodied sport tends to hog centre-stage, whether it be radio or television seconds or newspaper sports space, but there are fascinating stories to be told about the leading para athletes.

"I really like the idea of us sharing our stories and I like the idea of reporters not being afraid to ask us," Johnson said. "You hope more people will come along on your journey.

"We see ourselves as ordinary people, I guess, doing extraordinary things. I still feel the same; I just use a chair to get around."

Swimmers Sophie Pascoe, a below-the-knee amputee, and Mary Fisher, who is partially sighted, are on a par with Johnson in terms of achievement. Their profiles are higher, but Paralympics NZ is reaching high.

It has set a target of 18 medals in Rio, including 12 gold. Seventeen were won in London three years ago.

The target for Tokyo, in five years' time, is less certain due to doubts over which sports New Zealand will be able to compete in.

For example, sailing has been rubbed off the Tokyo programme.

Paralympics NZ is aiming to have a team of around 40 to 50 athletes in Rio, but that could swell to over 60 if the likes of the wheelchair rugby team win a place.

New Zealanders competed in seven sports in London in 2012 - athletics, cycling, equestrian, rowing, sailing, shooting and swimming.

The country was, per capita, the top nation in medals won. Retaining that placing is a priority. New Zealand's 200th medal - over winter and summer Games - is within reach.

Qualifying standards are high.

Athletes must demonstrate they have the capability of winning a medal or achieving a top-eight placing and a medal in Tokyo in 2020. There is a goal to have 80 per cent of next year's Rio team retained for Tokyo.

Paralympics NZ is unapologetic for setting the bar high.

As Cameron Leslie, a gold medal and world record-holding swimmer, and now also a member of the Wheel Blacks, put it yesterday: "Maybe it was about participation back in the day, but we're all here to win."

Government support accounts for about 93 per cent of their funding and is based on the expectation of medals.

In the next few months, para athletes will be attempting to qualify around the world. Next month, eight swimmers will be in Glasgow for the world championships.

Johnson reckons the recognition is improving for New Zealand's disabled athletes. "I've definitely seen a change since I first started. At every Paralympics, I've noticed people are more aware of those with disabilities. I'd just love it to be a bit quicker."