Brenden Hall reflects on 2024 Paris Paralympic Games, family and Starlight Super Swim
Australian flag bearer and five time Paralympian Brenden Hall has reflected on his whirlwind Paris games as he uncovers his new found motivation for life in the pool.
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Australian Paralympic Games athlete Brenden Hall has reflected on his whirlwind past 12 months as he now gears up to swim for a cause close to his heart.
Hall, 26, first found his love for the pool when he was a child but by the age of six he had contracted chickenpox and deep vein thrombosis in his right leg as a result.
Over a period of 6 weeks his conditions worsened, organs failed and at one point his body shut down and he flatlined for 29 minutes.
Hall suffered further complications, losing around 70 per cent of his hearing and having his leg amputated.
“I spent about three months in hospital but all I wanted to do was to get back in the water,” he said.
“I realised later that being in the water made me feel normal and everyone was on an even playing field.
“I was competing against able bodied swimmers for ages until I got my classification.”
Within three years of being a S9 classified athlete, Hall earned his spot to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Fast forward a further 16 years and Hall recently joined elite company in Paris with an equal para-swimming record fifth Games appearance as well as being one of Australia’s flag bearers.
“There’s little moments where I’ve taken a breather and reflected on just how big 2024 was for me,” Hall said.
“After a disappointing experience in Tokyo I went into the most recent games with no pressure, I just had to control what I could control, have some fun and enjoy the moment a little bit more.
“I feel I definitely did that and to have been a flag bearer it’s still a pinch me moment.
“It was a real honour, something I’ll never ever forget and it’s still something I find hard to grasp of why I was chosen.”
Hall returned from Paris with a bronze in the men’s S9 400 metres freestyle, taking his Paralympic medal tally to three bronze, one silver and three gold.
Hall and his wife Britt also welcomed their second child Hugo in November, a younger brother to their three-year-old son Bodhi.
“It’s really hard to put into words what it meant to show my son what I’ve been doing for the last 16 years but seeing him watch me get a medal and have him exposed to the Paralympic arena was very special.”
Hall said he was proud to know he was helping pave the way for future Paralympic stars.
“Now that I’m older and I look back to the para-athletes I watched at Sydney in 2000 and Athens in 2004 I was always wondering how I could play a role and make an impact,” he said.
“To know I’m inspiring other disabled or amputee athletes really reaffirms for me that I’m making a bit of a difference for those kids no matter what sport or what their passion is.”
Throughout the month of February, Hall will be supporting the Starlight Super Swim Challenge by encouraging all Aussies to do the same in helping bring joy to sick kids in hospital.
Funds raised will go directly towards supporting Starlight’s hospital programs which provide a much-needed positive distraction and comfort during hospital stays.
“Starlight do such a fantastic job in being able to provide joy, fun and entertainment to sick kids throughout Australia,” he said.
“Hospitals can be pretty bland and boring, especially as a kid but to know you have access to the Starlight room or areas you can have a bit of fun really brightens your day.
“To think I was one of those sick kids that received support and could take advantage of these donations is really special and it’s now even more exciting to be a part of it all and give back.
“I know first hand how much of an impact it has so it would be amazing to see everyone get around it.”
Alongside Hall will be super swim ambassadors Mick Fanning, Zac Stubblety-Cook, Brooke Hanson, Col Pearse, Sam Fricker and more.
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