Toyota

Date of birth: 15 April 1988
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 400m, 800m
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Eaton, WA
Occupation: Tour guide
First time competed for Australia: 2008

Biography: Brad, who was born with cerebral palsy, will be racing in the 400m and 800m events where he already registered some impressive performances. He was a regular finalist in several domestic athletics championships in 2007 and early 2008, with his best result a first placing at the ACT Open in the 800m.

Date of birth: 27 May 1993
Sport: Swimming
Discipline/Event: 100m backstroke, 100m butterfly, 100m freestyle, 200m IM, 400m freestyle
Disability: Right leg amputee and hearing impaired
Resides: Petrie, QLD
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: Being a Queensland boy, it's only natural that Brenden Hall loves to swim. At the ripe age of 14, he entered his first competition as an Australian representative at the Arafura Games in Darwin, which believe is one of the best experiences he has ever had.

Date of birth: 1 May 1990
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: Discus, javelin, shot put
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Bayswater, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Brydee Moore is certainly going to be one to look out for in the field events at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics. Competing in the javelin, shot put and discus, she will be hoping to throw her way towards a medal haul for Australia.

Date of birth: 13 August 1977
Sport: Wheelchair Rugby
Disability: Quadriplegia
Resides: Springfield, QLD
Current world ranking: 2

Biography: Cameron Carr was set to play professional football for the Sydney Roosters when he broke his neck in a car accident on the way home from a 21st birthday party. After initially shying away from the contact sport that he loved so much before the accident, Cameron rediscovered his competitive streak and took up wheelchair rugby. He is now a successful wheelchair rugby player on his way to the Beijing Games, his first with the team.

Date of birth: 23 November 1986
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 200m, 400m, relays
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Essendon, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Hailing from a sporting and competitive family - a younger brother who also runs, a mother who was a state level javelin thrower and tennis player as well as a father who played basketball, it's no wonder Chris, who was born with cerebral palsy, has a steely determination to represent Australia in Beijing 2008.

Date of birth: 22 December 1988
Sport: Wheelchair Basketball
Disability: Amputee
Resides: Midland, WA
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Cobi Crispin took up wheelchair basketball in 2003, after already having an interest in hockey, swimming and touch football. In just three short years she was named the most valuable player in the Northern Challenge in 2006 and is now a member of the Australian women's team, The Gliders.

Date of birth: 14 March 1989
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m, 200m
Disability: Vision impaired
Resides: Enoggera, QLD
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Courtney Harbeck is a self-proclaimed chatterbox, and should she succeed in her first Paralympics, no doubt we'll all be hearing about it. She is aiming for gold in the 100m and 200m sprints. Success for Courtney has come not only in Australia, but abroad as well. Winning gold medals in the 100m and 200m springs at the 2006 FESPIC Games in Kuala Lumpur is her greatest athletic achievement so far.

Date of birth: 4 December 1990
Sport: Wheelchair Basketball
Disability: Paraplegia
Resides: Brighton East, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Having only started playing basketball in 2003, Dylan Alcott managed to win the WSV Junior Athlete of the Year in 2004, 2005 & 2006. He first represented Australia at the 2006 Junior Nationals, where he was named the most valuable player. He also competed in the 2007 Visa Paralympic Cup.

Date of birth: 12 December 1991
Sport: Swimming
Discipline/Event: 50m butterfly, 100m butterfly, 50m backstroke, 100m backstroke, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley
Disability: Right leg above knee amputee
Resides: Frankston, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2006
Current world ranking: 2

Biography: One of the youngest members of the Australian Paralympic swimming squad, Ellie Cole was diagnosed with cancer at the age of two and underwent chemotherapy. After a round of treatment that did not reduce the cancer, her parents were given an agonising decision - whether to amputate Ellie's leg to save her life. Ellie had her right leg amputated on Valentine's Day when she was just three years old.

Date of birth: 20 November 1989
Sport: Swimming
Discipline/Event: 400m freestyle
Disability: Bilateral below knee amputee
Resides: Ferryden Park, SA
First time competed for Australia: 2008

Biography: Swimmer Jay Dohnt believes that adversity often sets people back in life but it inspires him to go further. Jay had his lower legs amputated after falling ill with meningococcal disease. He sees himself as a fighter who is motivated and competitive - the perfect qualities for an athlete who wants gold at his first Paralympics.

Date of birth: 27 April 1989
Sport: Cycling
Discipline/Event: Track 500m time trial, 3000m individual pursuit, 19.7km road time trial, 47.7 road race
Disability: Cerebellar Ataxia
Resides: Marayong, NSW
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: Jayme decided she would try her hand at cycling after watching an interview with a female Paralympic cyclist who said the sport needed more women. Jayme rose to the challenge and although her progress was slow to begin with, after much persistence she was chosen for the NSW team at the 2006 National Championships where she cycled her way to a silver medal.

Date of birth: 14 March 1986
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: Discus, long jump, shot put, 100m, 200m
Disability: Visually impaired
Resides: Geelong, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2008

Biography: Jessica Gallagher is a newcomer to the Paralympic program but is already training for two sports. Her pet events are long jump, discus, shot put, 100m and 200m. She is also a member of the Australian alpine skiing team in the events downhill, super G, GS, and slalom after being talent identified following a week's training at Thredbo with the Australia ski team head coach. She is also training for the winter Paralympics in Vancouver 2010.

Date of birth: 19 November 1982
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m, 200m
Disability: Missing left fingers and pectoral muscle
Resides: Kirwan, QLD
Occupation: Projects office
First time competed for Australia: 2008

Biography: Julie Smith is an outstanding runner who is destined for success in Beijing and wants to promote a positive image of athletes with disabilities. She believes everyone can make a unique contribution to the world.

Date of birth: 21 April 1977
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: Discus, javelin and shot put
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Valentine, NSW
Occupation: Speech pathologist
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Born with cerebral palsy, Kath Proudfoot is a competitive athlete that has continued to shine in a very non-athletic family. With breaking the world record in javelin at the 2007 IPC World Championships and competing in the Commonwealth Games, Kath is hoping to again succeed and win gold in the upcoming Paralympic Games.

Date of birth: 25 June 1981
Sport: Rowing
Disability: Deformity of right leg
Resides: Warnambool, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: Kathryn Ross is a rower who is ready to take on the world. Kathryn is striving for a rowing gold medal at the Beijing Paralympics after bringing home a gold medal at the International Adaptive Regatta in Italy.

Date of birth: 4 July 1991
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m, 200m
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Prospect, SA
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: Kate's favourite quote is "it's all good" and she lives by it, taking every opportunity put in front of her and achieving to the best of her ability. She goes into the Beijing Games holding the Australian records in both the 100m and 200m sprint.

Date of birth: 22 April 1989
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m
Disability: Leg amputee
Resides: Belmont, VIC
Occupation: Shop assistant
First time competed for Australia: 2008

Biography: Kelly Cartwright was forced to make a difficult decision when cancer was discovered in her leg. She could either have it amputated or undergo an operation. She elected the amputation, and now is looking forward to competing in her first Paralympic Games.

Date of birth: 26 December 1987
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m, 200m, javelin, shot put
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Bridgewater, SA
Occupation: Cashier
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: Born with cerebral palsy, all-rounder Kirrilee will be racing in the 100m and 200m sprints on the track in Beijing. She recalls her proudest moment as being asked to be involved in athletics, as she did not think that she was good enough. Since then her determination has led her to success.

Date of birth: 8 December 1988
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: Javelin
Disability: No left arm
Resides: Ferntree Gully, VIC
First time competed for Australia: 2008

Biography: Madelein Hogan is an expert at launching cricket balls into the air, and will be hoping to do the same with her javelins in Beijing at her first Paralympic Games. Victoria has already benefited from the sporting services of Madeleine, who represented her state twice in the U19 National Championships for women's cricket.

Date of birth: 20 September 1985
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m, 200m, 400m, 4x100m, 4x400m
Disability: Popliteal web syndrome
Resides: Brisbane, QLD
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Matthew Cameron says that he is always up for a challenge and will have a go at any sport no matter what. He has always used a wheelchair after being born with popliteal web syndrome, a physical disability that doesn't allow him to stand.

Date of birth: 7 February 1984
Sport: Cycling
Discipline/Event: Hand Cycling (Road and Time Trial)
Disability: Paraplegia
Resides: Broadview, SA
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: For a twenty-four year old, Mel Leckie has achieved more than what some people dream of doing in a lifetime. She has overcome a fall which left her with complete paraplegia, is studying for a degree in education, is a qualified women's artistic gymnastics judge and coach, began cycling at an international level, and has still managed to live by the motto "just keep smiling".

Date of birth: 12 July 1987
Sport: Swimming
Discipline/Event: 50m, 100m freestyle, 50m, 100m backstroke
Disability: Nerve damage in legs, hearing impaired
Resides: Gold Coast, QLD
First time competed for Australia: 2005

Biography: A country boy at heart, swimmer Michael Anderson grew up in the northern New South Wales town of Bellingen and has lived an easy going life. Michael currently holds the world record for the 50m backstroke and won a silver medal at the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships in the 100m backstroke.

Date of birth: 14 May 1988
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 800m, 1500m, 5000m, 10,000m
Disability: Right arm amputee
Resides: Langhorne Creek, SA
Occupation: Rebel Sport
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Michael Roeger says that he isn't scared of anything, but even if he was, there's no way anything would be able to catch him. When Michael runs, he just keeps going, and going, and going. The combined distance of the events Michael will be running in during the Beijing Paralympics exceeds 17km, and given the he is a likely finalist, just how far he will run is anyone's guess.

Date of birth: 15 April 1980
Sport: Equestrian
Disability: Amputee and organ damage
Resides: Rock Forest, NSW
First time competed for Australia: 2005

Biography: In 1996, Nicole Kullen, an up and coming star in the equestrian industry, contracted meningococcal meningitis septicemia. After six weeks in an induced coma, on life support, she spent the next six months in hospital recovering from her illness and rehabilitating. Since then, Nicole has found motivation and inspiration around her horses.

Date of birth: 29 December 1977
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: Shot put, discus and 4x100m relay
Disability: Below knee amputee
Resides: Belgian Gardens, QLD
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: From punching 105mm bombs up barrels in artillery, to punching out shot puts and discus for gold. Paul Raison is a Paralympic shot putter, discus thrower, sprinter and an all round tough guy. He was formerly a soldier in the Australian Army (artillery) and night club security officer, however was forced to retire after losing his leg in a motorbike accident in 2004.

Date of birth: 5 August 1973
Sport: Wheelchair rugby
Disability: Quadriplegia
Resides: Preston, VIC
Occupation: Test analyst
First time competed for Australia: 2007

Biography: Shane Brand believes that what doesn't kill him will only make him stronger. With an extensive background in martial arts, Shane is a disciplined athlete who turned his talents to wheelchair rugby after a car accident left him a quadriplegic.

Date of birth: 24 February 1992
Sport: Athletics
Discipline/Event: 100m, 200m
Disability: Cerebral palsy
Resides: Tweed Heads South, NSW
First time competed for Australia: 2006

Biography: Blink and you'll miss Tahlia Rotumah as she flies down the race track at the Beijing Paralympics. She is chasing gold for Australia in 100m and 200m sprints.