Media Release by The Hon Jenny Macklin MP

Cooke cycles circuit to claim gold

Joint Media Release with:

  • SENATOR KATE LUNDY Minister for Sport, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister Assisting for Industry and Innovation

    SENATOR JAN MCLUCAS Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers

Minister for Disability Reform Jenny Macklin, Minister for Sport Kate Lundy and Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers Jan McLucas today congratulated cyclist Carol Cooke on wining the T2 class 8km mixed time trial.

Making her Paralympic debut, Carol won the race ahead of Germany’s Hans-Peter Durst – clocking a time of 13:50.54.

Carol is an accomplished athlete. She just missed out on being selected to swim for Canada at the 1980 Olympics.

Following her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis 14 years ago, Carol did not give up on her dream to achieve her sporting potential and compete on the world stage.

She took up rowing after being identified at a Paralympic Talent Search day and narrowly missing out on competing for Australia at the Beijing Paralympic Games.

Carol’s decision to switch to cycling has proved to be a winner with international success at an elite level and now her first gold medal.

The Gillard Government is working towards a future where all Australian children and adults with disability lead lives of dignity and opportunity.

We are providing $1 billion to deliver the first stage of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) to provide Australians with a disability the care and support they need, when they need it.

The Australian Government has also provided strong funding to support our Paralympic Team, committing over $13.7 million in 2011-12 for the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) and $2.7 million in Direct Athlete Support (DAS) to help Australia’s Paralympic athletes reach their potential.