MEDIA RELEASE
31 October 2006
For immediate release
AUSTRALIAN SPORT HERO VISITS PNG
Australia’s fastest skier and one of the country’s most successful athletes, Michael Milton, arrived in Papua New Guinea today for a two-week visit.
This is the first trip to PNG by the gold medal winning Paralympic skier and world record holder.
Milton said: “It is incredibly exciting to be here – Australia and PNG have such a close relationship based on our shared history and geography and the strong partnerships between people.
“Australia and PNG also share a great love for sport. Papua New Guinea can be proud of its sporting achievements.”
Australia’s High Commissioner to PNG, Michael Potts, welcomed Mr Milton’s visit.
He said: “The visit by such an extraordinary athlete once again visibly highlights the affection that Australians feel for PNG. Our bilateral relationship is ultimately based on the close connections between people in both countries.”
During his time in PNG, Mr Milton plans to walk the Kokoda Track as an ambassador of the Coca-Cola Community Awards, which reward people who encourage a healthy, active lifestyle among young people.
Mr Milton has won eleven Paralympic medals, including six gold. Earlier this year he set a new world speed skiing record for a skier with a disability, clocking an amazing 213.65km/hr. It was also the Australian open record.
Mr Milton’s career highlight was winning four gold medals at the 2002 Winter Paralympic Games in Salt Lake City.
The success endeared him to the sport-loving nation of Australia and earned him the title of Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.
Media Inquiries: Leigh Arnold, Public Affairs Manager, Ph: 325 9333 ext 275, Mobile: 6893 9811