Dual-sport gold medalist Lauren Parker has been crowned Australia’s Paralympian of the Year at a dazzling gala held at RACV Royal Pines Resort on the Gold Coast on Saturday night.
The 35-year-old achieved unparalleled success at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, becoming a champion in not one but two sports.
Her crowning moment came with her emotional triumph in the women’s PTWC triathlon, where she captured gold in a race that symbolised years of resilience and determination. Her extraordinary campaign continued with another gold in the women’s road race H1-4 cycling event and a silver in the women’s road time trial H1-3.
Parker was presented the prestigious award by Paralympics Australia’s Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, the Governor-General of Australia
In addition to being named Paralympian of the Year, Parker was also awarded the title of Female Athlete of the Year.
The Paralympian Of The Year Awards marked the culmination of an exceptional campaign for the Australian Paralympic Team, which secured 63 medals, including 18 gold, to finish ninth on the medal tally.
Paralympics Australia President Alison Creagh AM CSC praised the entire team during her welcome address, noting their contributions to the country’s proud legacy in para sport.
“Over 11 days of competition in Paris, our athletes showed the world just what Australian Paralympians are made of,” Creagh said.
“At the pinnacle event, they delivered performances to prove, yet again, that Australia is home to some of the very best Para-athletes on the planet.
“They faced an enormous challenge. Australia has competed at every Paralympic Games since the first, in 1960, and since 1992 we have never finished outside the top 10 in the world on the medal tally. Against the backdrop of rapidly improving global standards in Para-sport, it’s fair to say that record was under threat. Yet our amazing 2024 Australian Paralympic Team rose to the occasion.
“They harnessed the power of their preparation, their commitment and their resilience to reach their peak. Finishing ninth on the medal tally in the current climate is an achievement everyone involved in this team should be extremely proud of.
“For our Paralympians, winning medals is just one part of a big picture. The true power of Paralympic sport lies in its ability to change lives, challenge stereotypes about disability and foster a culture of diversity and inclusion. It inspires not only people with disability but all Australians to push the limits of what we can achieve in our own lives.
“Our athletes are rightly celebrated for their sporting achievements, but they are also revered because they challenge us to be better, to always aim higher.
“The 2024 Australian Paralympic Team has made its mark. They have built on the proud legacy of those who precede them and created new legacies of their own. Their accomplishments will be celebrated for many years to come.”
