Para-sport ‘funding neglect’ comes under fire as Australia faces its lowest medal tally in 36 years

As the Paralympic flame fades, Australia’s commitment to para-sport is under scrutiny following a disappointing showing that saw the nation record its lowest medal tally in 36 years.

Having maintained at least an eighth-place ranking since the Seoul Games in 1988, Australia concluded its Paris campaign with a total of 63 medals, including 18 gold, which placed them ninth overall.

Chef de mission for the Australian Paralympic team, Kate McLoughlin, has reiterated her concerns regarding the insufficient funding for para-athletes, a sentiment reflected in the team’s performance.

The Australian delegation officially ranked ninth on the medal tally, claiming 18 gold, 17 silver, and 28 bronze medals.

This position puts Australia behind nations such as the Netherlands, Italy, Ukraine, Brazil, and France.

China dominated the medal rankings with 94 golds, while Team GB secured second place with 49 golds and the USA followed with 36.

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Since the 1990s, the pathway to winning gold medals in the Paralympics has increasingly become more challenging as other countries ramp up their funding and support.

“We anticipated that this [decline in ranking] could occur, and we needed to take action,” McLoughlin explained to The Sydney Morning Herald. “Finally, they listened.”

Earlier this year, the federal government pledged an investment of $54.9 million towards Paralympic sports for the next two years. However, McLoughlin had previously indicated that funding levels were significantly inadequate.

“There was a significant gap, and the government acknowledged that and stepped up,” she remarked.

“Now we can strategise on how to best utilise that investment, improving our athlete pipeline and identifying more opportunities across various sports.”

McLoughlin pointed out the commendable performance of the Netherlands in Paris; they sent a team half the size of Australia’s but managed to secure fourth place.

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She also highlighted that the success of higher-ranked nations can often be linked to their geographical advantages, which facilitate easier access to venues and centralised training programmes.

“We need to work on building our pipeline and ensuring that we create opportunities despite our geographical isolation,” she stated.

“It’s considerably more challenging for para-athletes to centralise their training without the support structures of home, family, and job opportunities compared to able-bodied athletes.”

Despite these concerns, McLoughlin emphasised that the medal tally does not reflect the tremendous efforts exerted by the athletes.

“I am immensely proud of each and every competitor,” she stated.

“All these athletes gave their utmost; they trained diligently and dedicated themselves fully. Unfortunately, not everyone can take home a gold.”

“Our goal is to ensure athletes have every opportunity to convert silver medals into gold.”