Alexa Leary awarded Para-athlete of the Year

Star of the Australian Paralympic Team, two-time gold medallist Alexa Leary was awarded Para-athlete of the Year at the recent Queensland Sport Awards in Brisbane.

In one of the stories of the Australian Paralympic Team’s success in Paris, Alexa Leary stormed to individual gold in the women’s S9 100m freestyle, breaking the world record and capping a remarkable triumph over injury in the process. 

“Honestly, I’m just so proud to be the Para-athlete of the Year,” said Leary.

“I’m amazed at how far I’ve actually come, I lived in Royal Brisbane Hospital for six months and fought for my life every day, so I’m very proud.”

Much has been written about the extraordinary odds stacked against Alexa’s return to elite competition after a devastating cycling accident in 2021 resulted in a months-long stay in hospital and gradual recovery. 

After joining forces with coach Jon Bell and performance scientist Simon Pearson, and with the support of family and friends, Alexa won gold and silver at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships and never looked back on the road to Paris, with her campaign also resulting in relay gold and silver. 

Leary says that while she was incredibly focused during her Paris 2024 campaign, the experience in itself was incredibly rewarding.

“The Paralympics were so inspiring. I definitely had a few tears here and there because at many points over the years, all of the athletes there had been told that they never could, so to see everyone there was amazing.

“I loved knowing I had so much support from back home too, that was very special,” she said.