Sunshine Coast athletes can hold their heads high after outstanding performances at the Paralympics.
They claimed a string of medals, including multiple golds, across a variety of sports.
Thomas Gallagher claimed Australia’s first victory of the Games, with a superb performance in the men’s 50m freestyle S10.
“The atmosphere is just amazing and I’m stoked for the result,” he said.
“I do this for my family and my coach.”
He also snared bronze medals in the 100m freestyle S10 and 100m backstroke S10.
Alexa Leary claimed a gold medal and a world record in the women’s 100m freestyle S9, a gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay 34 points, and a silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay 34pts.
Leary fell off her bike in a near-fatal accident in 2021, leaving her with brain damage and several long-term injuries.
“It is actually so amazing the fact that when I was in ICU, my dad got a fortune teller,” she said.
“The fortune teller read that I wanted to go to the Paralympics, and now I’m here, I’m like ‘wow, I did it’.”
Ben Hance won the men’s 100m backstroke S14.
Hance, who lost his father Tony earlier this year, set a new world record in his heat before clinching gold in his final.
He paid tribute to his late dad in what he described as “the hardest year of my life” and said “thank you dad”.
He also took silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay.
Callum Simpson had an event to remember, including winning gold in the men’s 100m freestyle S18.
“It’s everything I dreamed of, and I finally had my dream … it’s finally come true,” he said.
“It’s amazing, it honestly is, and I wouldn’t be able to get here without my family.”
He also claimed a gold medal by swimming in the heats of the 4x100m medley 34 points, and a silver in the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay 34pts.
Emily Beecroft was part of that team and swam in the final to bring home a gold medal. She also bagged a bronze in the women’s 100m butterfly S9.
Korey Boddington won gold in the men’s time trial C4-5.
“This is unbelievable. I want to tell kids out there to go for their dreams, to fight for them, you got to shoot for the stars,” he said.
He was also awarded a bronze in the mixed team sprint C1-5.
Ruby Storm captured silver as part of the mixed 4x100m freestyle relay S14. Madeline McTernan also claimed a silver medal as part of that team.
Lakeisha Patterson, who trains on the Sunshine Coast, finished second in the women’s 400m freestyle S9.
Flagbearer Brenden Hall captured bronze in the 400m freestyle S9.
Beau Vernon, Riley Batt, Chris Bond and Emilie Miller earned bronze with the wheelchair rugby team.
Ricky Betar, who trains on the Coast, grabbed bronze in the men’s 200m individual medley S14.
Sunshine Coast Council will host a welcome home celebration for the region’s Olympians and Paralympians at Foundation Square Park in Lightning Lane, next to the City Hall, on September 17, from 10.30am to 1pm.
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