SPENCE CONGRATULATES QAS ATHLETE ON SETTING NEW AUSTRALIAN RECORDS
Published Thursday, 18 October, 2007 at 01:27 PM
Minister for Police, Corrective Services and Sport
The Honourable Judy Spence
Sport Minister Judy Spence has congratulated Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Individual Scholarship Holder, Paul Raison, on his outstanding performance at the recent Ergon Energy North Queensland Athletics Championships.
Ms Spence said the amputee set not one, but two new Australian records at the event, and is now ranked number two in the world for discus and shot-put.
“Raison has quickly risen to the heights of elite sport for athletes with a disability, despite only taking up shot-put and discus 15 months ago,” Ms Spence said.
“His performances in both these events at the North Queensland Athletics Championships show he is a world class athlete with a bright future ahead of him.
“His achievements are an inspiration to us all.”
Ms Spence said Raison claimed silver in the shot put with a distance of 15.35m, which is a new Australian Record, and the second biggest distance in the world to-date by an amputee thrower.
Raison then outclassed the current Paralympic Champion in the discus event, throwing another Australian Record distance of 51.78m, to claim the gold medal.
“These results have secured Raison a quota spot for the Australian team that will travel to Beijing in 2008,” Ms Spence said.
“With performances like these Raison certainly has the potential to bring home gold and we will certainly be there to support him along the way.”
Ms Spence said Raison is an Individual Scholarship holder at the Queensland Academy of Sport.
“Individual Scholarships are awarded to athletes who are currently competing and ranked within the top ten in the world, in an Olympic or Paralympic sport that is not already covered by a QAS sport program,” Ms Spence said.
“As an Individual Scholarship Holder Raison will receive up to $5000 in financial support from the QAS and Queensland Government to cover the costs associated with training and competing at the highest levels of his chosen sport.
“This government is committed to supporting athletes like Raison, who continue to represent this state and this country in sporting arenas around the world.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287
Ms Spence said the amputee set not one, but two new Australian records at the event, and is now ranked number two in the world for discus and shot-put.
“Raison has quickly risen to the heights of elite sport for athletes with a disability, despite only taking up shot-put and discus 15 months ago,” Ms Spence said.
“His performances in both these events at the North Queensland Athletics Championships show he is a world class athlete with a bright future ahead of him.
“His achievements are an inspiration to us all.”
Ms Spence said Raison claimed silver in the shot put with a distance of 15.35m, which is a new Australian Record, and the second biggest distance in the world to-date by an amputee thrower.
Raison then outclassed the current Paralympic Champion in the discus event, throwing another Australian Record distance of 51.78m, to claim the gold medal.
“These results have secured Raison a quota spot for the Australian team that will travel to Beijing in 2008,” Ms Spence said.
“With performances like these Raison certainly has the potential to bring home gold and we will certainly be there to support him along the way.”
Ms Spence said Raison is an Individual Scholarship holder at the Queensland Academy of Sport.
“Individual Scholarships are awarded to athletes who are currently competing and ranked within the top ten in the world, in an Olympic or Paralympic sport that is not already covered by a QAS sport program,” Ms Spence said.
“As an Individual Scholarship Holder Raison will receive up to $5000 in financial support from the QAS and Queensland Government to cover the costs associated with training and competing at the highest levels of his chosen sport.
“This government is committed to supporting athletes like Raison, who continue to represent this state and this country in sporting arenas around the world.”
Media Contact: Nicola Hazell – 0439 673 287