GOLD No.11: ‘Tonight Was My Show’: Leary’s Individual Gold 

As the 2023 world champion in the 100 metres freestyle S9, few were surprised when Alexa Leary added Paralympic champion to her resume in her pet event at Paris 2024.  

The surprising part was the incredible time she swam.  

Less than two days after she had anchored the mixed 4×100 metres medley relay 34 points team to a stunning win, Leary clocked a world record 59.60 in the 100 metres heat. That night, she returned for the final and, remarkably, bettered that mark by another 0.07 seconds.  

“I really just wanted to break the world record – and I did. I did it this morning but tonight was my show,” Leary said.   

In her post-race interview with Nine, Leary revealed that her father Russell had sought the insights of a fortune teller as his daughter slowly recovered from a near-fatal cycling accident. Russell confirmed that ‘a spiritual’ had told him of a bright future for Alexa.  

When asked about it, Leary said: “When I was in ICU and dad got a fortune teller and the fortune teller read that I want to go to the Paralympics and I’m here… I’m like ‘Whoah, I did it!’  

“I’ve come so far in life, from being told three years ago I wouldn’t live. But I am. So, once I again, I did prove the world wrong. I’m walking and talking when we were told that I would never.  

“I’m just like ‘Well done, Lex, you have come so very far’.”  

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By: David Sygall

Published: 27 December 2024