Australia at the 2016 Summer Paralympics
Australia competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 7 to 18 September 2016. Australia repeated its 2012 Summer Paralympics achievement in finishing fifth of the medal tally.
Notable achievements at the Games:
- Jessica Gallagher became the first Australian Paralympian to win medals at both the Summer Paralympics and Winter Paralympics by winning a bronze medal in cycling.
- Kurt Fearnley finished Paralympic his career with 13 medals including a silver and bronze in Rio. His silver medal in the Men's Marathon T52-54 meant he had won medals in this event at four successive Paralympics.
- Ellie Cole joined the list of leading Australian Paralympic medallists by winning six medals - 2 gold, 3 silver and 1 bronze. Her medal tally at the end of Rio was 6 gold, 4 silver and bronze.
- Kieran Modra won a bronze medal in cycling and this meant that he had medalled at six Paralympics.
- Samuel Von Einem won Australia first medal in table tennis since Terry Biggs won gold in 1984.
- Jonathon Milne won Australia's first medal in archery since 1968.
- Curtis McGrath and Katie Kelly became Australia's first gold medallists in paracanoe and paratriathlon respectively.
- Dylan Alcott became only the fifth Australian Paralympian to win gold medals in two sports by winning two gold medals in wheelchair tennis. He previously won gold in wheelchair basketball.
- Athletes and teams that won their event again in Rio were: Ellie Cole, Brenden Hall, David Nicholas, Carol Cooke, Daniel Fitzgibbon/Liesl Tesch and the wheelchair rugby team.
Administration
In May 2015, the Australian Paralympic Committee announced Kate McLoughlin as the Chef de Mission. She replaced Jason Hellwig, the former APC CEO, who stepped down from the role. The APC appointed Kurt Fearnley and Daniela Di Toro as team captains. Wheelchair basketballer Brad Ness was announced as the Opening Ceremony flag bearer at a ceremony at the Paralympic Village on 5 September 2016. Curtis McGrath who lost his legs in the Afghanistan war and won Australia's first gold medal in paracanoe at the Games carried the Australian flag in the closing ceremony.Fundraising
The APC stated that it needed to raise $7 million to fund its Rio 2016 campaign. The majority of APC's funding to send Australian teams to major events originates from fundraising. In January 2016, it launched the Australian Paralympic Foundation to manage its fundraising. Cadbury made the first major donation of $1 million. In the four-year period leading up to Rio, the Australian Sports Commission provided $62 million in funding. At the Team Launch, Prime Minister of Australia Malcolm Turnbull stated that the Australian Government had provided nearly $65 million direct funding for the athletes as they prepared to compete in Brazil. To assist with funding raising, its broadcast partner Seven Network organized a Parathon on 5 March 2016.Medallists
The following Australian competitors won medals at the games.Multiple medallists
The following Australian athletes won multiple medals at the 2016 Paralympic Games:Team
List of team members as of 17 September 2016.In the by discipline sections below, medallists' names are bolded.
* – Indicates the athlete competed in preliminaries but not the final relay.
| Sport | Men | Women | Total | Paralympics debut |
| Archery | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Athletics | 23 | 22 | 45 | 20 |
| Boccia | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
| Cycling | 8 | 7 | 15 | 6 |
| Equestrian | 0 | 4 | 4 | 3 |
| Goalball | 0 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| Paracanoe | 3 | 3 | 6 | 6 |
| Paratriathlon | 3 | 4 | 7 | 6 |
| Rowing | 4 | 4 | 8 | 5 |
| Sailing | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| Shooting | 4 | 2 | 6 | 2 |
| Swimming | 21 | 15 | 36 | 22 |
| Table tennis | 2 | 3 | 5 | 3 |
| Wheelchair basketball | 12 | 0 | 12 | 5 |
| Wheelchair rugby | 12 | 0 | 12 | 4 |
| Wheelchair tennis | 4 | 1 | 5 | 2 |
| Total | 103 | 73 | 176 | 88 |
Australia was given additional qualification slots in the sports of goalball, athletics and wheelchair tennis after Russia was suspended from the Games by the International Paralympic Committee. Two athletes from the original team of 178 did not attend - Emily Tapp due to injury and Michael Gallager due to doping violation.
Several team members have changed their previous Paralympic sports at these Games: Dylan Alcott, Jessica Gallagher, Daniela Di Toro and Claire McLean.
Archery
Jonathon Milne earned Australia a spot at the Rio Games following his performance at the 2015 World Archery Para Championships and he was selected to make his debut in the Australian team on 29 July 2016.Athletics
Australian Paralympic Committee announced a team of 44 athletes on 2 August 2016. An additional two athletes - Tamsin Colley and Jessee Wyatt were added after the Russian suspension. Emily Tapp was selected but forced to withdraw after a burnt leg did not heal in time for the Games.Paralympic Games debut
Australia won 26 medals – 3 gold, 9 silver and 14 bronze. Gold medalists were – Brayden Davidson, Scott Reardon and James Turner. Russell Short attended his 8th Games, Christine Dawes her 6th Games and Kurt Fearnley his fifth Games.
Field events - men
Legend: Q= Qualified for final; OC= Oceania Record; PR= Paralympic Record; WR= World RecordBoccia
Australia selected Daniel Michel and his ramp assistant Ashlee McClure for their debut Games. Michel is the first player since the 2000 Sydney ParalympicsCycling
The cycling team was announced on 30 May 2016. The team consisted of 13 athletes and three sighted pilots: For Modra, this would be his eighth Paralympic Games. Michael Gallagher was originally selected but on 2 September 2016 he was withdrawn from the team due to a positive doping test sample.;Track Events — Women
;Track Events — Men
;Track Events — Mixed
;Road Events — Women
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank |
| Carol Cooke | Women's road time trial T1-2 | 26:11.40 | |
| Carol Cooke | Women's road race T1-2 | 1:07:51 | |
| Simone Kennedy | Women's road time trial C1-3 | 34:31.32 | 10 |
| Simone Kennedy | Women's road race C1-3 | 1:30:49 | 8 |
| Alexandra Lisney | Women's road time trial C4 | 30:28.39 | 4 |
| Alexandra Lisney | Women's road race C4-5 | 2:22:56 | 7 |
| Susan Powell | Women's road time trial C4 | 30:19.29 | |
| Susan Powell | Women's road race C4-5 | 2:25:50 | 9 |
| Amanda Reid | Women's road time trial C1-3 | 35:55.81 | 11 |
| Amanda Reid | Women's road race C1-3 | 1:39:12 | 11 |
;Road Events — Men
| Athlete | Event | Time | Rank |
| Kyle Bridgwood | Men's road time trial C4 | 38:23.21 | |
| Kyle Bridgwood | Men's road race C4-5 | 2:15:41 | 6 |
| Alistair Donohoe | Men's road time trial C4 | 37:33.36 | |
| Alistair Donohoe | Men's road race C4-5 | 2:14:03 | 5 |
| Matthew Formston | Men's road time trial B | 36:55.25 | 13 |
| Matthew Formston | Men's road race B | 2:41:48 | 13 |
| Kieran Modra | Men's road time trial B | 35:09.06 | |
| Kieran Modra | Men's road race B | 2:27:15 | 5 |
| David Nicholas | Men's road time trial C3 | 40:15.96 | 4 |
| David Nicholas | Men's road race C1-3 | 1:51:48 | 5 |
| Stuart Tripp | Men's road time trial H5 | 28:36.81 | |
| Stuart Tripp | Men's road race H5 | 1:37:51 | 7 |
Equestrian
On 28 June 2014, four riders were selected.Women - Emma Booth, Sharon Jarvis, Lisa Martin, Katie Umback
;Individual competition
;Team competition
Goalball
The Australian women's team originally failed to qualify after finishing third at the IBSA Goalball Asia Pacific Championships in Hangzhou, China. Australian men's team finished fifth at the IBSA Goalball Asia Pacific Championships in Hangzhou, China. Following the re-allocation of Russia's spot, Australia's women found themselves getting a last minute invite to Rio. Australia's women enter the tournament ranked ninth in the world.----
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Paracanoeing
On 16 June 2016, six athletes were selected to compete in the new Paralympic Games sport of paracanoe.Paratriathlon
Australian Paralympic Committee announced a team of seven athletes on 3 August 2016. Paratriathlon makes its debut at the Rio Games.| Men | Women |
| Nic Beveridge, Bill Chaffey, Brant Garvey | Kate Doughty, Katie Kelly, Michellie Jones for Kelly, Claire McLean |
Paralympic Games debut
;Women's Events
| Athlete | Event | Swim | Trans 1 | Bike | Trans 2 | Run | Total Time | Rank |
| Kate Doughty | Women's PT4 | 11:42 | 1:18 | 28.09 | 0:53 | 23.48 | 1:15:50 | 5 |
| Claire McLean | Women's PT4 | 15:09 | 1:35 | 37.12 | 1:09 | 24:41 | 1:19:46 | 9 |
| Katie Kelly Michellie Jones | Women's PT5 | 16:09 | 1:24 | 33:15 | 0:53 | 10:37 | 1:12:18 |
;Men's Events
| Athlete | Event | Swim | Trans 1 | Bike | Trans 2 | Run | Total Time | Rank |
| Bill Chaffey | Men's PT1 | 11:21 | 1:27 | 37.17 | 0.48 | 12.08 | 1:03:01 | 4 |
| Nic Beveridge | Men's PT1 | 11:57 | 1:43 | 42:55 | 1:00 | 13:00 | 1:10:35 | 9 |
| Brant Garvey | Men's PT2 | 10:45 | 1:36 | 40:40 | 1:56 | 24:24 | 1:19:21 | 10 |
Rowing
On 11 July 2016, Australian Paralympic Committee announced a team of 8 athletes. Australia will have a boat in the Legs, Trunk and Arms Mixed Coxed Four for the first time.| Men | Women |
| Gavin Bellis, Erik Horrie, Brock Ingram, Jeremy McGrath | Josephine Burnand, Davinia Lefroy, Kathleen Murdoch, Kathryn Ross |
Paralympic Games debut
Qualification Legend: FA=Final A ; FB=Final B ; R=Repechage
Sailing
Selected team of 6 athletes - Matthew Bugg, Daniel Fitzgibbon and Liesl Tesch, Colin Harrison, Russell Boaden, Jonathan Harris. This will be the last Games for sailing has been taken off the 2020 Tokyo Games program.Shooting
Shooting Australia nominated six athletes in May 2016. Libby Kosmala was selected for her twelfth Games. The team was missing Paralympian Ashley Adams who was killed in 2015 accident.| Men | Women |
| Luke Cain, Bradley Mark, Chris Pitt, Anton Zappelli | Libby Kosmala, Natalie Smith |
Paralympic Games debut
Australia did not win any medals. Australia's best placing was Christopher Pitt's fourth.
Swimming
36 athletes were selected on 1 August 2016. Three athletes were selected for their fourth Games - Matthew Levy, Jeremy McClure and Rick Pendleton 22 athletes were selected for their debut Paralympics with two 14-year-olds Tiffany Thomas-Kane and Katja Dedekind being selected.Australian won 29 medals including 10 gold. Maddison Elliott won three gold and Lakeisha Patterson and Ellie Cole won two gold.
Paralympic Games debut
Mixed events
Legend: Q= Qualified for final; OC= Oceania Record; PR= Paralympic Record; WR= World RecordTable tennis
Five athletes were selected to represent Australia. Daniela Di Toro previously represented Australia in wheelchair tennis and Melissa Tapper was set to become the first Australian to compete at both the Summer Paralympics and Summer Olympics in the same year.| Men | Women |
| Barak Mizrachi, Samuel Von Einem | Daniela Di Toro, Melissa Tapper, Andrea McDonnell |
Samuel Von Einem in winning the silver medal won Australia's first medal since Terry Biggs won gold in 1984.
= Paralympic Games debut
;Men's tournament
;Women's tournament
Wheelchair basketball
Men's tournament
The Rollers qualified by winning the 2015 Asia Oceania Qualifying Tournament. On 19 July 2016, the APC announced a team of twelve players with five of them making their Paralympic debut. During the draw, Brazil had the choice of which group they wanted to be in. They were partnered with Spain, who would be in the group Brazil did not select. Brazil chose Group B, which included Iran, the United States, Great Britain, Germany and Algeria. That left Spain in Group A with Australia, Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands and Japan.;Team roster
Josh Allison, Jannik Blair, Adam Deans, Tristan Knowles, Bill Latham, Matthew McShane, Brad Ness, Shaun Norris, Tom O'Neill-Thorne, Shawn Russell, Tige Simmons, Brett Stibners
Paralympic Games debut
;Group play standings
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;Quarter finals
;5th - 6th Classification
Women's tournament
The Gliders did not qualify after finishing second to China at the 2015 Asia Oceania Qualifying Tournament.Wheelchair rugby
Australia won the 2014 World Wheelchair Rugby Championships, thereby automatically qualifying to defend the Paralympic title they won in London. On 25 July 2016, the APC announced a team of 12 players. Australia entered the tournament ranked number two in the world.| Men |
| Ryley Batt, Chris Bond, Cameron Carr, Andrew Edmondson, Nazim Erdem, Ben Fawcett, Andrew Harrison, Josh Hose, Jason Lees, Matt Lewis, Ryan Scott, Jayden Warn |
Paralympic Games debut
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;Semi-finals
; Gold medal match
Wheelchair tennis
Selected team of 4 athletes on 28 July 2016. Sarah Calati was added to the team as a result of Russia's selection. Ben Weekes was competing at his fourth Games and wheelchair basketball gold medallist Dylan Alcott was competing in wheelchair tennis for the first time. Sarah Calati was a late inclusion due to the banning of the Russian team.| Men | Women |
| Dylan Alcott, Heath Davidson, Ben Weekes, Adam Kellerman | Sarah Calati |
;Men's tournament
;Women's tournament
= Paralympic Games debut
Broadcasting
The Australian Paralympic Committee sold the rights to the Seven Network. Previously the Australian Broadcasting Corporation broadcast the Games. There were 20 per cent more hours broadcast than the London Paralympics.Major advertisers and sponsors were: Optus, Samsung, Visa Inc, Swisse, Woolworths Supermarkets and Toyota.