07/18/2001

Paralympic Demonstration Races in Goodwill Games Athletics

AUSTRALIA'S top Paralympic sprinters will give athletics fans an insight into world-class ambulant competition during three demonstration events at the 2001 Goodwill Games.

The 100m, 200m and 400m events will be contested during prime time on September 5, 6 and 7 and will feature the cream of Australia's Paralympic sprinters, including several Sydney gold medallists.

The partnership between the Goodwill Games and the Australian Paralympic Committee was announced at ANZ Stadium today with the support of Queensland Paralympic Committee Executive Officer Gerrard Gosens and Australian pentathlon champion and multiple record holder, Don Elgin.

The Paralympic races have been included as demonstration events in the Goodwill Games line-up on the request of the Australian Paralympic Committee, in an effort to help maintain and further promote exposure of the sport.

Elgin, born without the lower portion of his left leg, is one of eight Sydney medallists confirmed to race at the Goodwill Games.

He will be joined by fellow medallists:

• Tim Sullivan (cerebral palsy class)
• Tim Matthews (arm amputee)
• Neil Fuller (below knee amputee)
• Andrew Newell (intellectual disability)
• Darren Thrupp (cerebral palsy)
• Adrian Grogin (cerebral palsy), and
• Heath Francis (cerebral palsy).

Elgin, current Australian pentathlon champion and Sydney bronze medallist, said he was excited to compete in Brisbane during the Goodwill Games.

"It is a fantastic opportunity for us to compete at the Goodwill Games,'' Mr Elgin said.

"Our profile has certainly risen since the Sydney Paralympic Games last year, but any opportunity we can take to continue to promote Paralympic sports is certainly worthwhile. I am sure it will also give spectators a great insight into the strong competition audiences around the world have come to expect from the Paralympics.''

Queensland Paralympic Committee Executive Officer Gerrard Gosens said the national body was particularly keen to encourage young people with a disability to consider participating in track and field events.

"Having our athletes compete as part of the Goodwill Games will be fantastic exposure for us,'' Mr Gosens said.

"We are hoping to encourage young people with a disability to participate in athletics, particularly with the World Championships in France next year and Athens 2004 coming up in the near future.''

2001 Goodwill Games Chief Executive Campbell Rose said it would be an honour to host the Paralympic events during the Games.

"We are very pleased to be able to offer not only our Paralympic athletes an opportunity to promote their sport, but an opportunity for our spectators to witness world class action of a different kind.''

Media information:
Nikki Todd, 2001 Goodwill Games Brisbane
Ph: 07 3233 2045 (direct) / Mobile: 0408 011 204

DON ELGIN: BIOGRAPHY

Don Elgin was raised in the NSW town of Tocumwal. Being born without the lower portion of his left leg was not a barrier for this boy who would make his first Australian team at 18 years of age.

Don went to the 1994 World Championships in Berlin, where he won a gold medal as part of the 4x100m relay team. Following this event, Don's focus moved from the sprint events to the Pentathlon.

The Pentathlon is made up of five events, discus, long jump, shot put, 400m and 100m. To be successful, an athlete must maintain a balance of strength and speed. Don made the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic team where he finished 4th.

Currently on scholarship at the Victorian Institute of Sport and recently competed in the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games where he won bronze in the Pentathlon. Don continues to train towards his ultimate goal of being number one in the World in the below knee amputee Pentathlon. In addition to his training schedule and his professional commitments with Australia Post, Don is a regular corporate speaker. He is married and has one young daughter.

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