How Viney Found There Was Still A Place For Her In Sport
Alexandra Viney is focused on fulfilling a dream – even if that dream looks a little different than anticipated.
On the night of her year 12 graduation at the age of 18, the Tasmania-born rower survived a high-speed car accident caused by a drunk driver. The accident left her with lasting impairments to her left elbow, forearm and hand.
“Having a piece of me taken away was devastating,” Viney said.
“Not feeling like you belong for so long, it really fractures you.”
Viney spent the next eight years turning her passion for sport into a career. She worried her time as an athlete was over, but after a chance conversation in late 2018, it became apparent that her goal to represent Australia might still be possible.
“Eight years (of) desperately trying to cling on to sport and just a passing conversation with someone who asks ‘Well, why am I not a Para-athlete?’” she said.
“It was in that moment that it kind of occurred (to me) that there is a place for me in sport and I can be that athlete that I’ve always wanted to be.”
Viney started as a Para-athlete in 2019 when she was selected for the Australian Senior Para-Rowing Team in the PR3 mixed coxed four.
“The moment that I was first presented with my Australian uniform I just sat there with it on the floor in front of me and I could not believe this was happening,” Viney said.
“The little girl with such a big dream was about to pull something on and belong.
“I know that when I sit in a boat in Paris that I’m going to represent what it means to belong and to embrace every aspect of yourself.
“To do that with your head held high is probably my proudest achievement.”