Countdown to Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympics celebrated at Adecco Paralympics New Zealand Gala Dinner

Adecco Gala Dinner, supporting Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), was held on Thursday, the 17th of June.  This event focused on two Paralympic Games taking place in quick succession with 67 days to go to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and 259 days to go to Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. The celebrations in the presence of 16 Paralympians and Para athletes, some already selected and others aiming for selection to the New Zealand Paralympic Team to take on the world at the Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022. They were joined by 150 guests who came together for the evening.

Paralympian #183 Holly Robinson, along with her coach Raylene Bates gave an official address. She said: “The countdown to a Paralympic Games is always exciting because it's when those long-term plans start to come to fruition. It's a feeling I've had before but look forward to as we lead into what will be my third Paralympic Games.”

Guests were also treated to a surprise performance from Drax Project, who showed their support of the New Zealand Paralympic Team by performing two smash hits. Drax Project came to prominence in 2017 with the single "Woke Up Late", which was certified triple platinum.

Fiona Allan (Chief Executive, Paralympics New Zealand) said: “We believe our Paralympians and Para athletes through their hard work, determination and success will continue to change perceptions of disability therefore transforming lives through Para sport. At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games we are anticipating the New Zealand Paralympic Team may include up to 40 Para athletes likely to compete in up to 7 Para sports, while at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games the New Zealand Paralympic Team may include up to 4 Para athletes competing in Para alpine skiing. This is such an exciting time and I wish all New Zealand Paralympians and Para athletes all the best in their bid for success representing the nation and others that continue to aim for nomination and selection this year.” 

Teresa Moore (Chief Executive, Adecco) said: “Partnering with Paralympics New Zealand has enriched our business. Through perseverance and commitment, we have learnt that anything can be achieved; their values resonate deeply with our business. The evening was an opportunity to share with our clients and guests that Paralympics New Zealand represents ‘inclusiveness’ that being social inclusion and societal opportunity. As a leading employer across the employment labour market, we see our position as key to educate and assist with creating awareness about inclusiveness in the workplace.”

Paralympians attending the event included:

• Paralympian #158 Adam Hall, an established force on the world stage having won 2 gold and a bronze medal across 4 Paralympic Winter Games.
• Paralympian #166 Sophie Pascoe - New Zealand’s most decorated Paralympian having won 15 Paralympic medals in Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016. Tokyo 2020 will be Sophie’s fourth Paralympics.
• Paralympian #183 Holly Robinson, grew up in Hokitika then moved to Dunedin in 2011 to train with her coach Raylene Bates. Holly was selected the following year for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and went on to be named flag bearer and win a silver medal in javelin at Rio 2016.
• Paralympian #192 Caitlin Dore made her debut at Rio 2016 in javelin placing 7th. Tokyo 2020 will see Caitlin compete this time in shot put. An event in which she set a new national record just 8 months after making the change.
• Paralympian #201 Tupou Neiufi made her Paralympic debut at the age of 15 in fantastic style placing 7th in the 100m Backstroke at Rio 2016. In 2019 she set a new world record. 
• Paralympian #205 Jesse Reynolds competed in his first Paralympic Games in Rio 2016, where he broke two of his personal best records. He went on to compete in the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships in London and is now firmly focused on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. 

This outstanding group of Paralympians aiming for Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 were thrilled to be joined by Paralympian #96 Duane Kale, 6-time Paralympic medallist, a PNZ Board member and Vice President of the International Paralympic Committee; Paralympian #168 and Tokyo 2020 Chef de Mission Paula Tesoriero; and Paralympian #142 Dan Buckingham who was part of the Athens 2004 gold medal winning Wheel Blacks and presenter of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games broadcast in New Zealand.  

Para athletes attending the event included: .

• Lisa Adams, was selected in the New Zealand team for the 2019 World Para Athletics Championships just 18 months after first picking up a shot. In the F37 shot put competition Lisa broke her own world record three times and came away with the gold medal.  
• Cody Everson, is known for his positive attitude and competitive spirit which has lead him to become the captain of the Wheel Blacks, wheelchair rugby team. After a 13 year absence from the NZ Paralympic Team Cody will be leading the Wheel Blacks at Tokyo 2020. 
• Corbin Hart competed at his first international competition last month in Hungary after only 10 months in a kayak. He stamped his mark on the Para canoe world qualifying a boat for New Zealand in the KL3 200m for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. 
• Gareth Lynch's incredible 5 year journey through rehabilitation and Para sport, saw him become a key member of the Wheel Blacks. After selection to the NZ Paralympic Team he will now make his Paralympic debut in Tokyo 2020.
• Eltje Malzbender, is known for her determination and work ethic. In 2019, she brought home two gold medals from the UCI Para Cycling World Championships in The Netherlands in the road race and time trial. 
• Neelam O'Neill has been shooting competitively since the age of 15. Neelam's dedication and drive has seen her achieve incredible results in competitions around the world. 
• Gavin Rolton has been playing Wheelchair rugby since 2007 and was selected for the Wheel Blacks team just two years later. Gavin is now a senior member of the Wheel Blacks and continues to be one of the top players in the world for his point class.

Notes: 

About the New Zealand Paralympic Team 

• The New Zealand Paralympic Team in Tokyo 2020 may include up to 40 exceptional Para athletes, competing in up to 7 Para sports.
• The New Zealand Paralympic Team in Beijing 2022 may include up to 4 exceptional Para athletes, competing in Para alpine skiing.  
• Since Tel Aviv 1968 Paralympic Games, 209 New Zealand Paralympians have been part of New Zealand Paralympic Teams competing at 24 Paralympic Games (13 summer and 11 winter)  winning a staggering 221 medals.  

About the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games

• The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will be held from Tuesday 24 August to Sunday 5 September 2021 and will include 22 Para sports on the event schedule and up to 4,400 Paralympians competing.
• The Paralympic Games is the largest event worldwide for driving social change and inclusion. 

About the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games

• The Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games will be held from Friday 4 March to Sunday 13 March 2022 and will include 5 Para sports on the event schedule and up to 748 Paralympians competing.
• Beijing 2022 could be the biggest Paralympic Winter Games to date.  

About Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ)

• The Spirit of Gold® Initiative is an award-winning long-term campaign to increase awareness and raise much-needed funding to firstly, support the Para athletes on the road to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and beyond and secondly, to help PNZ invest in developing Para sport across New Zealand. 
• Paralympics New Zealand is the National Paralympic Committee (NPC) for New Zealand. We are a charity and our overall vision is ‘Excellence & Equity through Sport’. As a member of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), we are part of a worldwide social change movement, which uses the power of sport to positively influence community perceptions of disabled people and to promote a more diverse and inclusive society. 

To do this, we support and celebrate the achievements of Para athletes at international and national competitions all year round. Every two years, we lead New Zealand teams to the Paralympic Games. We also work in the local community to advocate for sport to become more accessible for disabled people and to support the creation of more systems and programmes to enable participation in Para sport. 

Our funding comes from a mix of public donations, fundraisers, philanthropic partners, commercial partners, plus government and community grants, which together make our Para sport, community and advocacy programmes possible. 

• To find out more about us, please visit about
• To support Paralympics New Zealand, click here
• The Spirit of Gold® Initiative is an award-winning long-term campaign to increase awareness and raise much-needed funding to firstly, support the Para athletes on the road to Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games and beyond. Secondly, to help PNZ invest in developing Para sport across New Zealand. 

For more details please contact:
Kelly Ashford, Marketing Manger
The Adecco Group
kashford@adeccogroup.com