‘Mobility for all’ underpins Toyota’s support for Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Toyota’s mission to deliver mobility for all is echoed in its long-standing partnership with Paralympics New Zealand. Its support of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games reflects its commitment to mobility on a national and global scale.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which will take place between 28 August and 8 September, will bring together as many as 4,400 athletes from around the world. The athletes will compete in 549 medal events across 22 sports, taking the spotlight at some of Paris' most iconic landmarks, including the Eiffel Tower and the Chateau de Versailles.

Paralympics New Zealand is sending 25 Para athletes to Paris, including Toyota Brand Guardian Cameron Leslie. It will be Cameron’s fourth Paralympics.

Toyota New Zealand Assistant Vice President, Susanne Hardy, says after the highs of the Paris 2024 Olympics, which also feature strong Toyota support for individuals and the team, Toyota is once again excited to support a team of amazing athletes in Paris.

“We’re thrilled to support the NZ Paralympic Team in Paris. They embody all things Toyota and are out there every day driving stronger communities and inspiring the next generation of Kiwi athletes. We’re proud to be part of something so incredibly inspiring. Because we’re taking steps to make the future more mobile for everyone and prove anything is possible,” Susanne says.

After missing the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics due to the birth of his second child and quarantine issues, Cameron Leslie makes his long-awaited return to the Paralympic Games. Competing in the Men’s 50m Freestyle S4, 100m Freestyle S4, 200m Freestyle S4 and 50m Backstroke S4 events in Paris 2024, Cameron has prepared well from his Whangarei base under the coaching of Tom Onley.

Susanne Hardy says Cameron’s return to the highest level of Paralympic sport after an eight-year absence talks to his drive, commitment, and desire to be an inspirational role model.

As well as supporting Paralympics New Zealand, Toyota NZ is a supporter of the ‘Seeing is Believing’, the Paralympic Education Programme, which is helping shift the dial on perceptions of disability by championing inclusivity in primary schools across Aotearoa New Zealand.

Seeing is Believing harnesses the power of Paralympians, Para athletes, and the Paralympic Movement to reshape the way we perceive disability. It is based on the existing global I’mPOSSIBLE platform. The programme connects with both disabled and non-disabled tamariki, and their kaiako (teachers) through schools. It was tailored specifically for the New Zealand curriculum through the Health and Physical Education framework and integrates Te Reo Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.

"Toyota's commitment to mobility for all is exemplified through 'Seeing is Believing’,” Susanne says. “We believe that inclusivity knows no boundaries and are 100 percent behind the Paralympic Movement both locally and globally.”