CYCLING

Two late selections to New Zealand Paralympic Team competing at Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

By Paralympics New Zealand


Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) has announced on Tuesday the late selection of two further Para-Athletes to the New Zealand Paralympic Team heading to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, beginning next Thursday (8 September NZST). The addition of Para-Canoeist, Scott Martlew, and Para-Cyclist, Fraser Sharp, means that New Zealand will send 31 Para-Athletes and now contest of six Para-Sports.
 
The Selection Panel was convened this weekend, after the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) re-allocated a further two Para-Athlete slots to Paralympics New Zealand late last week. The re-allocation resulted from the IPC’s decision on 7 August to suspend the Russian National Paralympic Committee (NPC) and subsequently Russian Para-Athletes from the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, a decision which was upheld last week by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).
 
The New Zealand Paralympic Team now consists of one Para-Canoeist, three Para-Sailors, three Para-Shooters, eight Para-Cyclists, eight Para-Swimmers and eight Para-Athletics athletes.
 
Fiona Allan (Chief Executive, Paralympics New Zealand), said: “I am pleased to confirm Scott and Fraser’s selection to the New Zealand Rio 2016 Paralympic Team. Both Para-Athletes are deserving of their place on the team and despite not having received selection until now, they have each maintained a full training schedule. Because of this continuing commitment, they have both been able to meet the Paralympics New Zealand selection criteria.”
 
Allan continued: “Earlier this year, Scott missed qualification for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games by less than one second at the Para-Canoe World Championships. The Russian suspension has moved Scott within the qualification criteria, earning him qualification and allowing him to be selected. When the Para-Cycling team was selected in May, the panel was able to select two Para-Athletes into the two male slots available to New Zealand at the time. Fraser will be a strong addition to the team in this newly available third male slot.”
 
Scott Martlew, Para-Canoeist said: “I am incredibly excited about my selection to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. This is the first time Para-Canoe has been included in the Paralympic Games competition schedule and it is great to be a part of history. I could not be more thrilled to have my dream of representing New Zealand become a reality in Rio.”
 
Fraser Sharp, Para-Cyclist said: “I am so happy to be selected to compete at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. This will be my first ever Paralympic Games, the pinnacle event for Para-Athletes. I will be wearing the silver fern with pride and riding my heart out for all New Zealanders.”
 
Mark Weatherall (CEO, Canoe Racing New Zealand), said: “It is a great credit to Scott, our high performance Para-Athlete for maintaining a full training schedule despite missing initial qualification in May. Rio has provided great success for our Olympic kayakers and the NZ Canoe Racing community will be cheering Scott on with the same enthusiasm as he takes to the water in Rio.”
 
The New Zealand Paralympic Team will now compete in six Para-Sports in Rio including Para-Athletics, Para-Canoe, Para-Cycling, Para-Sailing, Para-Shooting and Para-Swimming.
 
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will run from 7-18 September 2016. The Games are the world’s largest multi-sport event for disabled athletes; over 4,350 athletes from 160 countries are expected to compete in 22 sports, with 528 medal events taking place.
 
The Rio 2016 Paralympic Games will be broadcast in New Zealand. Viewers can catch the action as it happens every day on TVNZ’s fully live streamed TV channel DUKE, together with extensive delayed and highlights coverage. Along with ONE News coverage, a special highlights programme will air every night on TV ONE and will be available online through TVNZ OnDemand and AttitudeLive.com. Further details https://www.tvnz.co.nz/tvnz-paralympics-schedule


 
The full New Zealand Rio 2016 Paralympic Team is:

Para-Athlete	Resides / Hometown	Classification	Impairment (Disability)
Caitlin Dore	Dunedin / Christchurch	F37 (field)	Hypertonia (Cerebral Palsy)
Anna Grimaldi	Dunedin / Dunedin	T47 (track & field)	Single limb deficiency
Jessica Hamill	Dunedin / Invercargill	F34 (field)	Hypertonia (Cerebral Palsy)
Liam Malone	Auckland / Nelson	T43 (track)	Double limb deficiency
Rory McSweeney	Dunedin / Wellington	F44 (field)	Single limb deficiency
Jacob Phillips	Dunedin / Hamilton	T35 (track)	Hypertonia (Cerebral Palsy)
Holly Robinson	Dunedin / Hokitika	F/T46 (field)	Single limb deficiency
William Stedman	Christchurch / Christchurch	T36 (track & field)	Ataxia (Cerebral Palsy)
PARA-CANOE
Scott Martlew	Christchurch / Christchurch	KL3	Single limb deficiency
PARA-CYCLING
Amanda Cameron	Wellington / Wellington	BVI	Visual impairment
Emma Foy	Cambridge / Dargaville	BVI	Visual impairment
Stephen Hills	New Plymouth / New Plymouth	T2	Right side hemiplegic (Paralysis)
Kate Horan	Wellington / Wellington	C4	Single limb deficiency
Byron Raubenheimer	Auckland / South Africa	C4	Single limb deficiency
Fraser Sharp	Tauranga / Tauranga	C3	Ataxia (Neurological)
Laura Thompson	Auckland / Christchurch	n/a (Sighted pilot)	n/a
Hannah van Kampen	Cambridge / Hawkes Bay	n/a (Sighted pilot)	n/a
PARA-SAILING
Richard Dodson	Auckland / Wellington	Sport Class 6	Loss of muscle power (Multiple Sclerosis)
Andrew May	Auckland / Christchurch	Sport Class 4	Loss of muscle power (Paraplegia)
Chris Sharp	Auckland / Auckland	Sport Class 4	Loss of muscle power (Paraplegia)
PARA-SHOOTING
Jason Eales	Hamilton/Durban	SH2C	Loss of muscle power (Spinal cord injury)
Michael Johnson	Auckland/Auckland	SH2C	Loss of muscle power (Tetraplegia)
Greg Reid	Wairarapa/Christchurch	SH1	Single limb deficiency
PARA-SWIMMING
Rebecca Dubber	Auckland / Auckland	S7, SB6, SM7	Loss of muscle power (Paraplegia)
Mary Fisher	Auckland / Wellington	S11, SB11, SM11	Visual impairment
Nikita Howarth	Cambridge   / Cambridge	S7, SB8, SM7	Double limb deficiency
Cameron Leslie	Auckland / Whangarei	S5, SM4	Quadruple limb deficiency
Hamish McLean	Wanaka / Wanaka	S6, SB6, SM6	Short stature (Achondroplasia)
Tupou Neiufi	Auckland / Auckland	S9, SB8, SM9	Hypertonia (Left side hemiplegia)
Sophie Pascoe	Christchurch / Christchurch	S10, SB9, SM10	Single limb deficiency
Jesse Reynolds	Auckland / Hamilton	S9, SB9, SM9	Single limb deficiency