[6] The games consisted of four sports: alpine skiing, ice sledge, hockey and Nordic skiing/cross country.

All athletes had to satisfy a requirement to be selected, by attaining times equal to or better than the eight place-getter in the 1996 World Championships in their respective class.

[5] The team originally consisted of six alpine skiers, which included James Paterson, Matthew Nicholls, Alistair Mars, David Munk, Rod Hacon and Anthony Bonaccurso.

[7] The team was supported by national head coach Steve Bova and managed by Commander Adrian Pay (RAN).

[8] He also went on to win a silver medal at the 2000 IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in the Men's Giant Slalom LW9.

[7] Later James Paterson was awarded Order of Australia in recognition for being a medallist at Paralympics, and in the Disabled World Ski Championships.

[5] The plan was that the team should be headed by the experienced Chef de Mission Nick Dean, and General manager Adrian Pay.

The team finally got the Canadian Steve Bova as their coach, who did a great job in such a short time.

Munk became seriously ill with a kidney infection and Hacon suffered a freak accident, whilst carrying his ski, severely damaging his hand.

This was a significant blow for the Australian team as they lost two of their most experienced Paralympians who were both well placed to medal at the Games.

[4] James Paterson performed strongly in the blue-ribbon event, the Men's Downhill and eclipsed the opposition,[7] beating New Zealander Mathew Butson to the gold medal by over a second.

[4][19] This was a decline from previous paralympics, but due to the withdrawal of Hacon and Munk, who were both big medal hopes, this was a great achievement by the Australian team.

[7] The Australian cross country athlete, Colin Scott, from Melbourne, failed to make the selection.

The other classes consisted of athletes with vision impairment, limb loss, cerebral palsy or acquired brain injury etc.

The entire winter program was reviewed resulting in a focus on talent identification, continuity of coaching and ongoing, well structured training .

[25] With a generous financial assistance from the Federal Government, an appointment with the Canadian Coach Steve Bova is now secured.

For thought to future Paralympics, a formal program will now be implemented with a view to increased success in the 2002 Winter Games.

[7] Head coach Bova worked closely with the Disabled WinterSport Australia together with Ron Finneran and the Brendan Flynn, the Australian Paralympic Committee General Manager Sport.

Bova, Finneran and Flynn planned new and higher goals, to ensure the success would continue at the next Winter Paralympic Games.