PARALYMPIC Games champion Richard Colman wants to see more people with disabilities getting involved in athletics.
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The Geelong-based wheelchair athlete says it does not necessarily have to be at a competitive level either. “It’s all about getting out there and having a go,” he said.
Colman’s latest venture in promoting para-athletics is the development of a training squad in Ballarat – similar to what he already has in Geelong and Melbourne.
Buninyong 15-year-old wheelchair athlete Sam Rizzo has been the catalyst. He has been joined by Danielle Clark, 12, and Karla Severino, 20, and Colman says there are more members in the wings.
Colman said he was sure there were people with disabilities keen to get involved in para-athletics, but it was a matter of searching them out. He said not everyone had to aspire to competing at elite level.
Colman said while there were pathways for those with that ambition, he was also eager to see as many people as possible getting involved recreationally.
The 30-year-old Colman has an outstanding athletic pedigree. While he has unfortunately had to withdraw from the upcoming IPC Athletics World Championships, he is focused on becoming a three-time Paralympics 800m champion in Rio de Janeiro next year.
Anyone wanting to join the squad may get in touch with via his website www.colman.com.au
