GOLDEN FOR CORPORATES TO FRONT UP
PARALYMPIAN Curtis McGrath has called on corporate Australia to follow the federal government’s lead by kicking the tin to help all Australian athletes with disabilities.
McGrath won his second successive gold medal in para-canoe in Tokyo on Friday, but paused from his celebrations to plead for more financial help while record numbers of Australians are tuning in to watch the team compete in Tokyo.
The 33-year-old former soldier welcomed the government’s announcement that Australian Paralympians would receive the same cash bonuses as Olympic medal winners.
But he said the big end of town also needed to dig into its pockets.
“We just want an equal playing field and we want equal opportunities, because that’s what the Paralympics are about,” McGrath said on Friday.
“Everyone, even corporate Australia, can get out there and sponsor a Paralympic athlete; not just myself, not just a gold medallist, but someone who’s working every day, working hard.
“(Paralympians) are doing the same amount of work, the same amount of effort as an Olympian, as an NRL player and an AFL player, so they should get the rewards that they deserve.”
McGrath is one of the few highprofile Paralympians who does get some support, but he’s had to work double overtime for the recognition he’s received.
He lost both his legs when a mine exploded while he was serving with the Army in Afghanistan and has admitted that the Taliban’s return to power in the country has made it hard to focus on his Paralympic races.
“It’s a tragic situation in Afghanistan, and my heart does go out to the people there,” he said.
“I was there searching for improvised explosive devices, clearing the way for school buses, people going to work or whatever.
“I’m content with my contribution to the country. It’s up to the people of Afghanistan now, and hopefully they can find a peaceful resolution.”
It’s part of sporting folklore that at the same instant McGrath was being airlifted out of Afghanistan after he was injured, he declared he wanted to be a Paralympian. True to his word, he has since established himself as the best para-canoeist in the world, winning multiple world titles.
He won the KL2 kayak gold medal when the sport was introduced to the Paralympics for the first time at Rio and defended his title with a commanding performance in Tokyo.
“Rio was all so new to me, that level of competition, the competitiveness of everyone, and it’s really great to have that,” McGrath said.
“I’m now more experienced, I’ve worked on things and I felt really comfortable. There were nerves, but that means it means something to me and I’m super happy with my performance.
“Going back-to-back, it’s one of those feelings that confirm that I can come to a big event like this or the biggest event and perform.”
Susan Seipel, who represented Australia in equestrian before changing to canoe, won silver in the women’s Va’a race on Friday to capture her second medal after bronze in the kayak in Brazil five years ago.
“It’s one up, it’s a better colour than bronze, so it’s awesome,” said Seipel, who has also entered kayak in Japan.
“It’s the debut of this event at the Paralympics, so it’s really special to be making history again.”
Women’s Bronze Medal Match – Germany v USA; Women’s Gold Medal Match – Netherlands v China 8.00pm Athletics Nicholas Hum in Men’s Long Jump T20 Final, Daniel Bounty and Deon Kenzie in Men’s 1500m T38 Final, Samantha Schmidt in Women’s Discus F38 Final, Men’s 200m T64 Final, Women’s 400m T38 Final, Women’s 100m T63 Final
AUSTRALIA has won another medal in table tennis to cap the best Paralympic performance by the team.
The Aussies surpassed the previous Paralympic record of four medals, set in 1964, by winning silver in the women’s team event, after going down to Poland 2-0 in the final. That lifted the total to five medals in Tokyo – two golds and three silvers – with another medal already guaranteed in the men’s final.
After beating China in the semis, the Aussies came unstuck against Poland when Lina Lei and Yan Qian lost the doubles and Yang was beaten in her must-win singles match - but there were no regrets.
“Everything has surpassed my expectations,” said Lei, who won gold in her individual event after moving to Australia from China.
“My goal was a medal, gold was a surprise. We fought hard but we just fell short in doubles, but overall it’s been good.”
Yang also won gold in her singles event.