Revision 1527238 of "Australian Paralympic cycling team officially revealed for London 2012" on enwikinews

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{{date|June 12, 2012}}

[[File:South Australian Paralympic Cyclists 2012.jpg||thumb|left|215px|Members of the Australian Cycling Paralympic team for 2012 at the team's announcement in Adelaide, South Australia. From left to right: Felicity Johnson and her pilot, Stephanie Morton, Jayme Paris, Scott McPhee and Kieran Modra (Scott will be piloting for Kieran).{{image credit| Bilby}}]]
{{w|Kieran Modra}}, overcoming near-fatal injuries in an accident last year, is amongst the fifteen-strong {{w|Australia|Australian}} Paralympic cycling team heading to {{w|London}} for the {{w|2012 Summer Paralympics|2012 Summer Paralympics}}.
      
Modra only returned to training recently after the collision with a car last year which resulted in two broken vertebrae.  "My whole world turned upside down physically and mentally in a flash [...] In the back of my mind I was still focused on getting to London, but I knew I was in pretty bad shape. I knew my chances were very slim but I didn't give up."

The London games will be number seven for Modra who started his Paralympic career in athletics at the {{w|1988 Summer Paralympics}}, competed in swimming at the 1992 Summer Paralympics before making his first appearance in cycling at the {{w|1996 Summer Paralympics}}.  The South Australian is one of 15 cyclists selected in the cycling team which Jason Hellwig, {{w|Australian Paralympic Committee}} Chief Executive and 2012 Team Chef de Mission describes as one of the strongest Australian cycling teams ever produced.

“There is a tremendous amount of talent in this team and each athlete is looking in top condition.   At the Track World Championships earlier this year, Australia won seven gold medals – four of them won by athletes new to this team".

Cycling was first included in the Paralympic Program at the {{w|1988 Summer Paralympics}} and is one of the most anticipated sports at {{w|2012 Summer Paralympics|London 2012}}.  It is one of Australia’s most successful sports with a total tally of 28 gold, 20 silver and 22 bronze medals.  

The  team, announced at the Adelaide Superdrome includes Nigel Barley (WA), Carol Cooke (VIC), Michael Gallagher (VIC), Alexandra Green(NSW), Felicity Johnson (SA), Simone Kennedy (NSW), Bryce Lindores (QLD), Kieran Modra (SA), David Nicholas (QLD), Jayme Paris (NSW), Susan Powell (ACT), Stuart Tripp (VIC), Mark Jamieson (pilot Bryce Lindores, TAS) Scott McPhee (pilot Kieran Modra, SA) Stephanie Morton (pilot Felicity Johnson. SA)


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== Sources == 

*{{source|url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/apc-names-cycling-team-london-2012
|title=APC names cycling team for London 2012
|author= 
|pub=Australian Paralympic Committee
|date=June 12, 2012
}}
*{{source|url=http://www.cycling.org.au/?Page=46747
|title=Australian Paralympic Cycling Team Announced
|author=Australian Paralympic Committee
|pub=Cycling Australia
|date=June 12, 2012
}}
*{{source|url=http://www.portlincolntimes.com.au/news/local/news/general/severe-cycling-injuries-to-modra/2391882.aspx
|title=Severe cycling injuries to Modra
|author=Port Lincoln Times
|pub=Fairfax Media
|date=December 12, 2011
}}

[[Category:Sports]]
[[category:Australia]]
[[Category:Oceania]]
[[Category:Paralympics]]
[[Category:2012 Summer Paralympics]]