Tasker highlighted the need for consistent financial assistance from both the Australian public and corporate sponsors as the APC hopes to send one of its biggest teams ever to the Games in Brazil.

"Rio looms before us and just as our planning takes a step up, so too must our fundraising in order to get the 2016 team to Brazil," said Tasker, who was elected APC President last year after Greg Hartung stepped down from the position.

"We are working hard to secure more corporate sponsorship and we are grateful to the Australian public for your support of our Paralympians up until now.

"With Para-canoe and Para-triathlon both new to the programme in Rio, we are hoping to send an even bigger team to Rio than our London 2012 team, and will need the Australian public's help more than ever."

Tasker's plea is a familiar one as the APC has been increasingly vocal in its call for more funding for Paralympic sport in recent times despite receiving a funding increase of $1.1 million (€870,000/£740,000) from the Australian Sports Commission (ASC) in April 2013.

However, a report released by the APC in August last year claimed it will receive only half the amount of funding that Britain will get in the lead-up to Rio 2016.

The report also claimed that there are major inequalities in the provision of support for people in disabled sport compared to their able-bodied counterparts.

It followed a proposal by Athletics Australia to provide equal funding for both Paralympic and Olympic athletes, which the APC publicly backed.

Despite the gap in funding however, Australia's Paralympic athletes finished fifth in the overall medals table at London 2012, securing 32 gold medals and 85 medals in total, their best performance in an overseas Games since Atlanta 1996.

Alpine skier Toby Kane was one of two Australian athletes to medal at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics ©Getty Images



Australia sent nine athletes and two guides to the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics, which saw the team claim two bronze medals thanks to Alpine skiers Toby Kane and Jessica Gallagher.

Tasker praised the efforts of the athletes in Sochi, where he said they "displayed the dignity, humility, resolve and sportsmanship that makes you proud to be Australian".

A review of the Games is now underway, with Tasker adding that the goal is to build on past success and ensure Paralympic sport continues to grow in Australia.

"The APC understands that change is necessary for continuing success and 2014 will see the APC Para-sport division's changes in full swing as we work to build a better sporting pathway for upcoming athletes and create sustainable Para-sport in Australia," Tasker added.

"We must look beyond Rio, and working together with our national sporting partners in areas such as talent identification and classification is so important for our future success."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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