Full New Zealand Team Named for London 2012 Paralympic Games

With less than two months until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) is thrilled to announce the selection of the final group of athletes to represent New Zealand in the sports of athletics, sailing and swimming.  This adds to the selections made in the sports of cycling, equestrian, rowing and shooting.   A total of 26 athletes will represent New Zealand at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

PNZ along with Athletics NZ, Yachting NZ and Swimming NZ announce the selection of the following athletes: 

Athletics
Holly Robinson;
Tim Prendergast ;
Peter Martin.

Sailing
Tim Dempsey;
Jan Apel;
Paul Francis.

Swimming
Sophie Pascoe;
Nikita Howarth;
Daniel Sharp;
Cameron Leslie;
Aine Kely-Costello;
Mary Fisher;
Rebecca Dubber;
Daniel Holt.

Chief Executive of Paralympics New Zealand, Fiona Allan, is delighted to announce the final group of athletes that will represent New Zealand at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. “This is an outstanding group of athletes and we are very proud that 10 out of 26 have come through Xcellerate 2 Xcellence, our talent development programme,” she continues, “This group of athletes now has the opportunity to create New Zealand sporting history at the biggest Paralympic Games ever.”

New Zealand Paralympic Team Chef de Mission Duane Kale says, “The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of Paralympic sport globally and although the team have a significant challenge ahead with our target of 18 medals I have no doubt that our athletes will do all of New Zealand proud when they take on the world in London.”

London 2012 Paralympic Games will be the biggest Games in history with swimming the second biggest sport.  A total of 600 athletes will compete for 148 medals.  Nikita Howarth at the age of 13 will be the youngest ever New Zealand Paralympian to attend the Games.  She  says, “I was very excited to hear that I had been selected for the team and I hope to win a medal in the 200m Individual Medley and make the finals for my other two races. This is my first Paralympics of hopefully many more to come.”

The sport of sailing will also see some stiff competition with New Zealand sailors attending the Paralympic Games for the first time since Sydney 2000.  New Zealand has never won a Paralympic medal in sailing, providing additional motivation for the three sailors.   Paul Francis says, “It’s a real honor to be representing New Zealand at the Paralympic Games in sailing,” he continues, “To be surrounded by so many inspirational athletes is really great.  The sailing team is looking forward to rewarding the selectors and providing a platform for the future.”

The Paralympic Games open on 29 August and end on 9 September 2012. New Zealand has won 180 Paralympic medals to date (153 summer, 27 winter).  Naming of support team members will continue into July.

FULL LIST of New Zealand London 2012 Paralympic team members
Athletics
Holly Robinson;
Tim Prendergast ;
Peter Martin.

Cycling
Jayne Parsons and Kylie Young (pilot);
Phillipa Gray and Laura Thompson (pilot);
Fiona Southorn;
Susan Reid;
Nathan Smith;
Chris Ross.

Equestrian
Anthea Gunner;
Rachel Stock;

Rowing
Danny McBride.

Sailing
Tim Dempsey;
Jan Apel;
Paul Francis.

Shooting
Michael Johnson.

Swimming
Sophie Pascoe;
Nikita Howarth;
Daniel Sharp;
Cameron Leslie;
Aine Kely-Costello;
Mary Fisher;
Rebecca Dubber;
Daniel Holt.