Australia's first indigenous Paralympian has called for constitutional recognition to make sure young athletes don't face the hurdles he did.
Kevin Coombs, a former wheelchair basketball player who competed at the inaugural Paralympic games as an 18-year-old, needed an honorary British passport.
"Back in 1960 we were flora and fauna, we weren't counted (as Australian citizens) until the 1967 referendum," he told AAP.
A further 10 indigenous athletes have gone on to represent Australia at the Paralympics since Coombs, and he says a lot of progress has been made.
"It'll only get better when we're recognised in the constitution," he said.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull paid tribute to Coombs at Australia's Rio 2016 Paralympic team launch in Sydney on Monday.
"(He) competed at five paralympics. All of us here today have been inspired by you," Mr Turnbull said.
Coombs, who received a Medal of the Order of Australia in 1983, became a paraplegic at age 12 when he was accidentally shot in the back while out shooting rabbits at his home in the NSW Riverina.
The 75-year-old had to pay his own way to compete over the years, and he says the new generation of Paralympians are thriving with the support of corporate sponsorship.
Two young indigenous Paralympians who will fly the flag in Rio are 19-year-old cyclist Amanda Reid and 20-year-old runner Torita Isaac.
Coombs' advice to them is to enjoy the moment.
"Don't be overawed by the occasion because we as an aboriginal community and as a community of this country think you're the best," he said.
"So go for it, you've got nothing to lose."
Australia will send 170 athletes competing across 15 sports at the first Paralympics to be held in South America.
Australian Paralympic Committee President Glenn Tasker says the team is gunning for a top-five finish on the medal table, which means at least 15 gold medals.
The Australian team has placed in the top five at every games since Barcelona in 1992, but was only a few medals short of slipping outside at the 2012 London games.
"Our biggest competition is going to be Brazil," Mr Tasker said.
"Brazil sits outside the top five but they have spent a king's ransom on their programs since London, and everyone expects the home team to perform well."
