A total of 18 Paralympians who won their first gold at Rio 2016 received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) from Governor General of Australia Sir Peter Cosgrove on Australia Day. Furthermore, Michellie Jones, who acted as guide to visually impaired Paralympic triathlon champion Katie Kelly, received the Member of the Order of Australia (AM).
Australian Paralympic Committee Chief Executive Lynne Anderson said the gold medal performances from the Paralympians provided moments of national significance and deserved to be recognised accordingly.
