The 31-year-old from New South Wales is aiming to make history at London 2012 by becoming the first athlete in history to win the T54 wheelchair marathon at three consecutive Games although he is set to face tough competition in his assault on the record books from the likes of his great rival Dave Weir of Britain.

Fearnley's inclusion in the 2012 Australian Paralympic Athletics Team was no surprise as the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) announced the team at the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre during their final training camp on home soil before the Games begin.

The 36 athletes officially selected by the APC Board will be joined by a further seven athletes whose selection will be confirmed in the coming days to complete the 43-strong team.

"Australia has a strong and proud history in athletics at the Paralympic Games with some of our most memorable sporting moments taking place on the athletics track and in the field," said APC chief executive and London 2012 Chef de Mission Jason Hellwig.

"Athletics will be our biggest sport in London and of the athletes selected today; there is an equal mix of youth, experience and of course, a wealth of talent.

"This is a very young team with 22 of the athletes so far selected under the age of 25.

"Not only do we expect this team to perform well in London but we know that this team has the talent and longevity to perform well at Rio 2016 and beyond."

Fearnley is one of several reigning Paralympic and World champions in the squad which also includes Evan O'Hanlon, the cerebral palsy sprinter who won three gold medals at Beijing 2008.

Another major London 2012 gold medal prospect is the reigning T42 100 metre and long jump world champion Kelly Cartwright (pictured below).


The 23-year-old, who had her right leg amputated above the knee when she was 15 following cancer, is the world record holder in her classification in the 100 metres, 200m and long jump.

Athletics is Australia's most successful sport at the Paralympic Games to date, yielding 145 gold, 139 silver and 131 bronze medals since the first Paralympics in Rome 1960.

London 2012 will host 170 athletics medal events for a total of 1,100 athletes meaning that the sport will see over 25 per cent of the total number of athletes expected to compete at the Paralympic Games.

The full 2012 Australian Paralympic Athletics Team is available to view by clicking here.

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