NZ name 34-strong team for Paralympics

1.00pm

New Zealand will send a team of 34 athletes to the Paralympic Games in Athens in September.

Team chef de mission Cathy Hemsworth today said the number of athletes being sent to Greece was above predictions.

"Originally we thought the team would be about 30, so to get 34 shows just how hard these athletes have been working to qualify for this event," she said.

Katikati's Dave MacCalman will be competing in his fourth Paralympics, while several others in the team were also at Sydney four years ago.

The team includes a number of world record holders, including Hamilton javelin thrower Peter Martin, Northland cyclist Fiona Southorn, Wellington athlete Kate Horan and Auckland powerlifter George Taamaru.

New Zealand won 18 medals at the Paralympics in Sydney, including six gold, and expectations are that the 2004 team will match that record.

The Paralympic Games are from September 17-28.

New Zealand Paralympic team:

Athletics: Peter Martin (Waikato) shotput, discus and javelin, Tim Prendergast (Wellington) 400m and 800m, Matt Slade (Christchurch) 100m and 200m, Kate Horan (Wellington) 100m, 200m and 400m, Willie Beattie (Rotorua) shotput and discus, Dave MacCalman (Bay of Plenty) shotput and javelin, Terry Falevaai (Auckland) shotput and discus.

Boccia: Liam Sanders (Pukekohe), Ross Flood (Auckland), Jeremy Morriss (Rangiora), Maurice Toon (Waikato).

Cycling: Fiona Southorn (Northland) kilo time trial and road time trial, Paul Jesson (Christchurch) kilo time trial, 3000m individual pursuit, road race, road time trial.

Equestrian: Jayne Craike (Auckland) individual championship and freestyle.

Powerlifting: George Taamaru (Auckland) 100kg plus class.

Shooting: Michael Johnson (Auckland) 10m air rifle standing and 10m air rifle prone, Colin Willis (Christchurch) 10m air rifle standing and 10m air rifle prone.

Swimming: Theresa Griffin (Hamilton) 400m freestyle, 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 100m breaststroke and 200m medley, Sarah Powell (Hastings) 400m freestyle, Miriam Jenkins (Hamilton) 400m freestyle, Daniel Sharp (Auckland) 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 100m breaststroke, Hadleigh Pierson (Christchurch) 400m freestyle.

Wheelchair rugby: Steve Guthrie (Christchurch), Bill Oughton (Christchurch), Jai Waite (Auckland), Gerry Tinker (Christchurch), Gary McMurray (Auckland), Tim Johnson (Christchurch), Curtis Palmer (Auckland), Sholto Taylor (Hastings), Dan Buckingham (Christchurch).

Wheelchair tennis: Jacquie Courtier (Tirau), Tiffany Perry (Hamilton), Glenn Barnes (Christchurch).

Team management: Cathy Hemsworth (Christchurch) chef de mission, Ken Sowden (Christchurch) operations manager, Paul Wharam (Auckland) team doctor, Helen Murphy (Auckland) sports liaison manager, Wendy Hilton (Auckland) massage therapist, Dave Tieleman (Christchurch) nurse/carer, Gillian Hall (Christchurch) physiotherapist.

- NZPA