The wait is over for 160 Australian para athletes set to compete across 17 of the 22 sports at the 2024 Paralympic Games as the action gets under way in Paris.
Australia’s joint flag-bearer Brenden Hall is competing at his fifth Paralympics and aiming to reclaim his crown in the men’s 400m freestyle S9 with Timothy Hodge also hoping to reach the podium. Lakeisha Patterson will have an eye on the medals in the same women’s event.
Rising star Alexa Leary will be chasing a medal in the women’s 50m freestyle S10 with Jasmine Greenwood and Keira Stephens also in contention, while Australia’s hopes in the men’s splash and dash will focus on Rowan Crothers.
The Rollers will face Netherlands in men’s wheelchair basketball, while the Steelers kick off their campaign against Great Britain in wheelchair rugby.
Here are the Australians to watch on day one at Paris 2024 – all times AEST:
Boccia
10pm: Men’s individual BC3 preliminary round Pool A: Daniel Michel v Karabo Morapedi
4.30am: Women’s individual BC3 preliminary round: Jamieson Leeson v Kang Sunhee
Para archery
9pm: Women’s individual compound open ranking round: Melissa-Anne Tanner; Ameera Lee
9pm: Men’s individual recurve open ranking round: Taymon Kenton-Smith
1am: Men’s individual compound open ranking round: Jonathon Milne; Patrick French
1am: Women’s individual recurve open ranking round: Amanda Jennings
Para cycling track
9.41pm: Men’s B 4000m individual pursuit qualifying: Kane Perris
Para swimming
5.30pm: Men’s 400m freestyle S9 heats: Brenden Hall; Timothy Hodge
5.44pm: Women’s 400m freestyle S9 heats: Lakeisha Patterson
6.28pm: Men’s 100m butterfly S14 heats: Benjamin Hance
6.51pm: Men’s 50m freestyle S10 heats: Thomas Gallagher; Rowan Crothers
6.57pm: Women’s 50m freestyle S10 heats: Jasmine Greenwood; Alexa Leary; Keira Stephens
7.11pm: Women’s 100m butterfly S13 heats: Ruby Storm; Paige Leonhardt
1.30am: Men’s 400m freestyle S9 final: Brenden Hall; Timothy Hodge
1.40am: Women’s 400m freestyle S9 final: Lakeisha Patterson
2.36am: Men’s 100m butterfly S14 final: Benjamin Hance
2.42am: Women’s 100m butterfly S14 final: Paige Leonhardt
3.41am: Men’s 50m freestyle S10 final: Thomas Gallagher; Rowan Crothers
3.47am: Women’s 50m freestyle S10 final: Jasmine Greenwood; Alexa Leary
Para table tennis
6pm: Men’s doubles MD8 round of 16: Australia (Addis/Chen) v Japan (Saito/Shichino)
7.30pm: Men’s doubles MD18 round of 16: Australia (Ma/Pellissier) v France (Boheas/Bouvais)
8.15pm: Women’s doubles WD10 round of 16: Australia (di Toro/Sands) v France (Saint-Pier/Vautier)
1am: Mixed doubles XD7 round of 32: Australia (Chen/Di Toro) v Great Britain (Matthews/Shackleton); Australia (Addis/Sands) v China (Flores/Leonelli)
1.45am: Mixed doubles XD17 round of 32: Australia (Hirth/Tapper) v Sweden (Hansson/Handen)
3.15am: Mixed doubles XD17 round of 16: Australia (Pellissier/Lei)
Wheelchair basketball
5.30am: Men’s preliminary round Group B: Australia Rollers v Netherlands
Wheelchair rugby
7.30pm: Open preliminary round Group B: Australia Steelers v Great Britain
