With one year to go until the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, I urge all Australians
to support our world class Paralympic team next year.
A total of 4000 athletes from 125 countries will compete in 18 sports in
the first Paralympic Games in the southern hemisphere.
I encourage all Australians to purchase Paralympic tickets for what will
be the second largest sporting event in the world in 2000.
This will be the only opportunity in our lifetime to cheer our world champion
athletes in Paralympic competition on home soil. Buying Paralympic tickets
now will ensure that Australians don't miss out.
The Coalition Government is providing significant support to the Paralympic
Games, including the extension of the Paralympic torch relay to all State
and Territory capital cities, as well as financial assistance to help school
children from around the nation to experience the excitement and the achievement
of the Paralympics.
These initiatives demonstrate my Government's commitment to making the Sydney
2000 Olympic and Paralympic Games events for all Australians, right across
our country.
I encourage as many Australian families as possible to be a part of the
Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games. By purchasing Paralympic tickets, all Australians
can experience first hand the successes of our world-class athletes.