On the seventh day of the Paris Paralympics, Australian swimmer Alexa Leary achieved an extraordinary feat by breaking the world record twice in a single day. The 23-year-old from Queensland won her first individual Paralympic gold medal in a remarkable performance that captivated the audience. At the La Defense Arena, Leary set a new world record in the women’s 100m freestyle S9 heats with a time of 59.60 seconds. She then improved upon her own record in the final, finishing with an impressive 59.53 seconds. Her victory was celebrated with infectious joy as she danced and performed the robot on the podium, highlighting the emotional and triumphant moment.
Leary’s journey to this achievement has been nothing short of miraculous. Three years ago, a severe bike accident left her with brain damage and multiple long-term injuries. The prognosis was grim, with doctors suggesting that she might never walk or talk again. Reflecting on her incredible comeback, Leary expressed her astonishment at her own progress. “It’s been a long, rough journey for me but it’s a miracle that I’m living and I’m walking and I’m talking,” she said. Her determination and resilience have been evident as she defied the odds and surpassed expectations, embodying a story of remarkable recovery and strength.
Earlier in the week, Leary also made significant contributions to Australia’s success in the Paralympics. She played a crucial role in the mixed 4x100m medley relay 34 points, where her performance helped secure a gold medal for her team. This achievement further underscores her impressive capabilities and dedication to the sport.
In other Paralympic events, Australian swimmer Ricky Betar earned a bronze medal in the men’s 200m individual medley S14, while Grant Patterson also secured a bronze in the men’s 50m breaststroke SB2. Road cyclist Lauren Parker made history by becoming the first Australian to win medals in two different sports at the same Paralympics, clinching silver in the women’s time trial H1-3 and gold in the triathlon earlier in the week.
Moreover, table tennis player Qian Yang won her second gold medal of the Games by defeating Poland’s Natalia Partyka in the women’s singles class 10 final. Yang had earlier won gold in the women’s doubles WD20 alongside Li Na Lei. The Australian wheelchair basketball team achieved their first victory in the Paris Games with a 78-74 win over Spain in a classification qualifying match, with Bill Latham leading the charge by scoring 33 points.
This day at the Paris Paralympics highlighted not only individual brilliance but also the collective success of the Australian Paralympic team, showcasing their determination, skill, and sportsmanship across various disciplines.