04 Feb 2009

Star of Paralympic track and field Evan O’Hanlon was named the 2008 Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Junior Athlete of the Year.

The 20-year-old O’Hanlon won three gold medals for Australia at the 2008 Paralympics and set world record times for the T38 100 metres (10.96 seconds) and 200 metres (21.98 seconds), and the T35–38 men’s 4 x 100-metre relay (44.81 seconds).

O’Hanlon, who moved to the AIS as an 18-year-old, paid tribute to the Institute’s support.

‘I’d like to thank all the staff at the AIS because my performances are a great example of how so many people’s effort go into a single ten second or 11 second race,’ O’Hanlon said.

‘I’d like to thank the Australian Sports Commission and the AIS and obviously Australia as a whole, the taxpayers of Australia, for funding the AIS.

‘It’s a great honour to be given this award, especially in an Olympic and Paralympic year.’

AIS Director Professor Peter Fricker said O’Hanlon’s Beijing performances were outstanding.

‘To win any medal at the Paralympic Games is a tremendous effort, but to win three in world record times is a remarkable feat,’ Professor Fricker said.

‘Evan has proven himself a world-class champion by beating the best athletes on the international sporting stage. His achievements, along with the rest of those of the Australian Paralympic team, were true sporting highlights of 2008.’

The Australian Sports Commission, through the AIS, has created infrastructure to support people with disabilities to excel in sport.

‘We are proud to fund and support the training and development of Paralympians through the AIS and the Australian Paralympic Committee,’ said Professor Fricker.

‘The Australian Sports Commission makes a significant contribution to Australia’s Paralympic success by providing programs and initiatives that enable people with disability to be involved in organised sport, and pathways for them to elite competition.

‘We are committed to giving Australian Paralympians every chance to reach their full potential and to achieve their best.’

Other nominations for AIS Junior Athlete of the Year included Eddie Ockenden (Hockey), Cameron Meyer (Road Cycling) and Ellie Cole (Paralympic Swimming). 

Winners of major AIS Awards, presented tonight at the AIS Arena in Canberra, were:

• AIS Athlete of the Year: Heath Francis (Track and Field) and Ken Wallace (Flatwater Canoe)
• AIS Junior Athlete of the Year: Evan O’Hanlon (Track and Field)
• AIS Coach of the Year: Victor Kovalenko (Sailing)
• AIS Program of the Year: Australian/AIS Sailing.