The iconic gold medal-winning Wheel Blacks from the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games toasted the 20th anniversary of their success in a celebratory event in Auckland last weekend.
Six members of the nine-strong squad, who defeated Canada 31-29 in an exhilarating final at the Helliniko Indoor Arena on this day 20 years ago, plus support staff gathered at the Greek Hall in Western Springs for a dinner to commemorate the stunning achievement.
As part of a fun celebratory weekend – Paralympian #95 Stephen Guthrie, #103 Gary McMurray, #105 Curtis Palmer, #126 Tim Johnson, #142 Dan Buckingham and #156 Jai Waite along with their coach #107 Grant Sharman – met up from around the country for a social weekend which included a morning push and a tenpin bowling game.
The dinner at the Greek Hall included an impressive line-up of guests including the Greek Consulate General, former Paralympics NZ CEO Craig Hobbs and TV producer and award-winning documentary maker Chas Toogood – the man instrumental in driving more extensive Paralympics TV coverage in New Zealand – plus a message from the Greek Ambassador for Australia.
The weekend climaxed with an invitation for the team and support staff from Athens 2004 to attend the Greek Orthodox Church in Western Springs.
The Wheel Blacks had won Wheelchair Rugby bronze medals at the Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games but their success in Athens elevated the team to a new status. Winning two of their three group games the Wheel Blacks defeated Belgium 40-33 in the quarter final before dispatching of Great Britain 39-35 in a thrilling semi-final.
Their victory over Canada in a tense but compelling final ensured the Wheelchair Rugby gold medal had gone to a team from outside North America for the first time.
Reflecting on the anniversary event Sharman said: “We wanted to do something on the 10th anniversary, but it never happened then we lost our captain Bill Oughton who passed away in 2022, so we decided to organise something for the 20th anniversary.
“In many ways we are not just marking Athens and winning the gold medal but the journey which for many started in 2003 and with that particular team won silver at the 2006 World Championships hosted here in New Zealand.
“What that team achieved was fairly remarkable and that journey – with many highs and lows – brought us closer together.”
The passing of time, Grant insists, has brought a sense of perspective and he looks back with enormous pride on their accomplishments.
“Reflecting on the results in Athens and a fifth place in Beijing it was a special era for New Zealand wheelchair rugby. It was all about the journey, the people and the sacrifices we made. It was special to be a part of.”
Jai Waite, one of the gold medal winning team members at Athens 2004, said it was a pivotal moment in Para sport history in New Zealand and he adds: “For me, it was such a life changing event but that was true for not only the players but also the whole support team and the family and friends in the crowd. When you talk to them it was the greatest sporting moment in their history. For people with a disability in New Zealand it really put us on the map, and it allowed us to hold our heads higher in the community. For kids with a disability, that moment in Athens allowed them to become cool. For us to come together as a group and mark that occasion 20 years on was spectacular.”
For Waite, who was paralysed from the chest down after hitting a sandbar when diving into the sea in Greece, winning gold opened the door to a successful career as a documentary maker said: “I have no doubt it has given me opportunities I might not otherwise have had. So many of us on the team had those takes of tragedy to triumph and I think we are forever going to be remembered for that.”
