Sam
Harding

Sam Harding was originally a tandem cyclist before finding his love for running in 2009. The West Australian native began his competitive career in athletics following his participation in cross country during his primary school years. After encouragement from his mum and teacher to participate in an Australian Paralympic Committee talent search program, he was selected to compete at the 2009 Australian Paralympic Youth Games in Melbourne. It was at these Games that Sam won three gold medals in the 400m, 800m and 1500m events.

In 2010, Sam was selected for a development camp with the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. He was the recipient of a dAIS scholarship and continued to train with AIS under the tutelage of Iryna Dvoskina.

In his international debut at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, Sam finished in an impressive fifth place in the men’s 800m T13 event.

Sam was selected for the London 2012 Paralympic Games, however he was not able to compete due to becoming ill with glandular fever.

Sam shifted down to 400m events but has now moved back up again to 1500m and seems to have found his niche in middle distance.

At his Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020, he competed in the 1500m T13 to finish in 11th position with a time of 4:05.13.

He continues to train at the AIS and is currently coached under Philo Saunders.

Away from the track, Sam has completed his studies in Massage Therapy, with the goal of working as a massage therapist on the WSL.