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Dual-sport gold medallist Lauren Parker has been crowned Australia’s Paralympian of the Year at a stunning gala ceremony at RACV Resorts Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
Parker’s win rounds out an all-conquering chapter in the superstar athlete’s career, the feature of which was her emotional victory in the women’s PTWC triathlon at the Paris Paralympic Games.
The 35-year-old then achieved the rare feat of becoming a champion in two sports at one Games when she won the gold medal in the women’s road race H1-4 cycling event and added a silver medal in the women’s road time trial H1-3.
Parker was presented the prestigious award by Paralympics Australia’s Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, the Governor-General of Australia. It was the climax of a celebration of the Australian Paralympic Team’s outstanding performance at Paris 2024, where the team won 63 medals, including 18 gold, to finish inside the world’s top 10.
Among others who claimed prizes at the Paralympian of the Year Awards were swimmer Alexa Leary, rowing pair Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager, runner James Turner and table tennis coach Maggie Meng.
Additionally, ultimate recognition was bestowed upon five great contributors to the Paralympic Movement with promotion to the Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame (see inductees below).
The evening was hosted by Nick McArdle and Katrina Webb, who were part of Nine’s broadcast team that covered the Paris Paralympics.
In her welcome address, Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh AM CSC said:
“Over 11 days of competition in Paris, our athletes showed the world just what Australian Paralympians are made of. At the pinnacle event, they delivered performances to prove, yet again, that Australia is home to some of the very best Para-athletes on the planet.
“They faced an enormous challenge. Australia has competed at every Paralympic Games since the first, in 1960, and since 1992 we have never finished outside the top 10 in the world on the medal tally. Against the backdrop of rapidly improving global standards in Para-sport, it’s fair to say that record was under threat. Yet our amazing 2024 Australian Paralympic Team rose to the occasion.
“They harnessed the power of their preparation, their commitment and their resilience to reach their peak. Finishing ninth on the medal tally in the current climate is an achievement everyone involved in this team should be extremely proud of.
“For our Paralympians, winning medals is just one part of a big picture. The true power of Paralympic sport lies in its ability to change lives, challenge stereotypes about disability and foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. It inspires not only people with disability but all Australians to push the limits of what we can achieve in our own lives.
“Our athletes are rightly celebrated for their sporting achievements, but they are also revered because they challenge us to be better, to always aim higher.
“The 2024 Australian Paralympic Team has made its mark. They have built on the proud legacy of those who precede them and created new legacies of their own. Their accomplishments will be celebrated for many years to come.”
Paralympics Australia also acknowledged the strong support from its event partners including Experience Gold Coast, RACV Royal Pines Resort and McWilliams Wines.
2024 Australian Paralympian of the Year Award winners:
• Paralympian of the Year: Lauren Parker – Para-triathlon / Para-cycling
• Team of the Year: Nikki Ayers & Jed Altschwager – (PR3 Mixed Double Scull, Para-rowing)
• Rookie of the Year: Alexa Leary – Para-swimming
• Coach of the Year: Maggie Meng – Para-table tennis
• Male Athlete of the Year: James Turner – Para-athletics
• Female Athlete of the Year: Lauren Parker – Para-triathlon / Para-cycling
• Uncle Kevin Coombs Spirit of the Games Award: Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson
• Paralympics Australia President’s Award: Boccia Australia High Performance program
• Australian Paralympic Medal: Tim Matthews
• Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame Inductees: Anne Brunell, Elizabeth Edmondson, David Gould, Greg Hartung, Gary Hooper
By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia
Published: 30 November 2024
