Olympic gold medallist’s inspiring message to kids like her

She was a crucial cog in one of Australia’s greatest moments of the Olympic Games, but Meg Harris, who is partially deaf in both ears, wants to inspire kids like her.

Meg Harris was just six when she found she had 60 per cent hearing loss in one ear and 45 in the other - and 13 years later she is an Olympic gold medallist.

Harris, now 19, has opened up about her experience as a partially-deaf athlete after she was the second leg swimmer in the world-record breaking women’s 4x100m freestyle relay, one the greatest moments from the Tokyo 2020 Games.

Bronte Campbell, Meg Harris, Emma McKeon and Cate Campbell of Team Australia pose after winning the gold medal in the Women's 4 x 100m Freestyle Relay Final on day two of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Tokyo Aquatics Centre on July 25, 2021 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

Harris started as an ocean swimmer in Mackay before moving to Brisbane at 13 to pursue her career in the pool, training alongside Ariarne Titmus, Mitch Larkin and Elijah Winnington.

She has never worn her hearing aids swimming and not once has let her condition affect her ability in the water.

But her reaction off the blocks was something she had to get used too.

“I have had camps where they test your diving skills and some people have mentioned, not so much you can’t do it, but like the starting gun was the biggest thing I had a problem with when I was younger and they knew they had to help me with it,” Harris said.

“I used to have to think about listening before I went, so that’s why my reaction was so much slower, over time it has become instinct so it’s still natural to go, it’s something that I’m used to, I don’t know any different.”

Parents of Aussie golden girl Meg Harris just proud as punch

Harris’ hearing is a result of nerve damage which her and her family aren’t sure whether it was something she was born with, or something she developed.

“I remember we had prep buddies when I was in grade 7 and I didn’t have my hearing aids in that day,” she said.

“The prep teacher complained to my teacher and said “this girl is so rude she isn’t listening, I was talking to her and she just walked off,” I have had a couple of situations like that.”

Now, she has an Olympic gold medal and has aspirations to do it again in Paris.

“Watching Cate come in the last 25 metres, that was when I was like this is actually going to happen,” she said.

“I don’t really have words, it just wasn’t something I expected to happen, I still don’t have words.”

Olympic gold medallist Meg Harris with her loud shirt at Hear and Say with 18-month-old Harry Callaghan. Picture: Tara Croser.

Harris is supporting Hear and Say Loud Shirt Day on Friday October 22, a foundation close to her heart which raises money to help give children born deaf the gift of sound.

“I guess I know what it’s like growing up with a hearing impairment … if you can support kids who have hearing loss and they can get cochlear implants and hearing aids they’re able to join in with the world and not feel so separated from everyone else,” she said.

“People don’t understand how much you miss out on when you can’t hear.”

You can get involved, donate or support Hear and Say’s Loud Shirt Day via the Hear and Say website.