[6] With such a large number of people arriving, 43 nations worth of athletes and officials were never going to fit into the existing Olympic village.
The spinal injuries ward was worked by volunteers and St Johns Ambulances to ensure nurses could be free for games duties.
[9] The name was designed by Human Resources School, a special education institute for students with severe physical impairments in New York.
These athletes were managed by George Dunstan and Don Perriman with medical supervision provided by Dr John Bourke, Sister Norma Beer and physiotherapist Maggie Beven, as well as 13 additional escorts.
The largest components of competitors were Amputees (40) and Blind and Vision Impaired (21), while Cerebral Palsy (4) and an Australian "Les Autres" athlete attended the Games for the first time.
[10] Amputee Officials in New York - Berry Rickards (General Manager), Peter Carroll (Swim Coach/Manager), Brian Neighbour (Athletics Coach/Manager), Wayne Bradshaw (Athletics Assistant), Dr Les Cunningham (Sport Psychologist), Mark Mannin (Media)[11] Blind Officials in New York - J. Simon (General Manager), Jane Buckley (Physiotherapist) Patchy showers greeted the 14000 spectators packed into the Mitchel Park stadium for the 2pm start of the New York Games opening ceremony on 19 June.
[1] Entertainers such as Bill Buzzeo and the Dixie Ramblers, Richie Havens, The New Image Drum and Bugle Corps, the ARC Gospel Chorus and the Square Dance Extravaganza followed the introduction speech.
[1] Commander Archie Cameron, President of ICC officially closed the games with a short speech acknowledging the athletes and the next host nation, Seoul, South Korea.
Farewell addresses and a spiritual message then followed plus a complete black where everyone in the stadium held a light stick under a large firework display.
Australia represented by: Men – Terry Biggs, Paul Bird, Kim Bley, Murray Buck, Bailey Compton, Paul Croft, Donald Dann, Mark Davies, Michael Desanto, Neil Dixon, Alan Dufty, Joe Egan, David Evans, Vernon Ezzy, John Federico, Ian Gainey, Terry Giddy, Nicky Gleeson, David Goodman, James Hoggan, Brett Holcombe, Peter Kirby, Warren Lawton, Peter Marsh, Kerrod McGregor, Robert McIntyre, Jeff McNeil, David McPherson, Michael Morley, Stephen Muir, Panayiotis (Peter) Negropontis, Michael Nugent, John Payne, Michael Quinn, David Regan, Stephen Sargolia, John Sheil, Darryl Smith, Peter Trotter, Robert Turner, Jeff Wiseman, Garry Woolgar Women – Lynette Coleman, Julie Dowling (athlete), Meredith Jones, Margaret Murphy, Jan Randles, Prue-Anne Reynalds, Amanda Rose, Julie Russell, Donna Smith, Catherine Watson, Valerie Woodbridge [2] Australia won 58 medals - 17 gold, 19 silver and 22 bronze medals.
Australia represented by: Men - Don Campbell Australia represented by: Men – Paul Bird, Craig Blackburn, Kingsley Bugarin, Malcom Chalmers, Geoffrey Fowler, David Griffin, Gary Gudgeon, Greg Hammond, Michael Kelly, Alan Morley, Michael Quinn, Wayne Ryding, Robert Staddon, Phillip Tracey, Robert Walden Women – Helena Brunner, Lynette Coleman, Kerri-Anne Connor, Anne Currie, Therese Donovan, Rosemary Eames, Kerrie Engel, Meredith Evans, Deborah Holland, Ursula King, Tracey Lewis, Jan Miller, Mary-Anne Wallace, Carol Young Coaches - G. Brown (Blind) Officials - J. Blackburn (Manager - Blind) Swimming was Australia's most successful sport at the combined Games winning 74 medals - 20 gold, 30 silver and 24 bronze.
[14] Australia represented by: Men – Michael Callahan, Kevin Coombs, David Gould, Erich Hubel, Charlie Ikstrum, Michael McFawn, Bruno Moretti (playing coach), Nick Morozoff, Richard Oliver, Peter Peterson, Mark Pope[15] Australia did not win a medal.