‘It’s more natural now’: Angie Ballard on the culture shift since Paralympic debut 24 years ago

Co-captain Angie Ballard made her Paralympic debut over two decades ago, now she’s leading the next generation to Paris and says the short turnaround from Tokyo has worked in their favour.

With the Paralympics only 100 days away, Australia’s best athletes are hopeful that the Games in Paris will carry on the incredible momentum that was generated in Tokyo.

Delayed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Paralympics in 2021 developed an unprecedented groundswell of support in Australia. Households across the country tuned in to watch the likes of Madi de Rozario, Dylan Alcott and Curtis McGrath win gold as Australia’s second-largest team ever competed in Japan.

Team co-captains Angie Ballard and Curtis McGrath have their sights set on Paris. Picture: Tim Hunter.

As preparations continue for Paris, co-captain of the Australian Paralympic team Angie Ballard can sense the dynamic shift that has occurred.

“I feel like this cycle, while it has been shorter, there’s been more happening throughout instead of nothing and then something in the Paralympic year,” Ballard said.

“I also feel like just that general interaction with the public per se, it’s just so much more natural now. People follow athletes on Instagram and see the journey along the way, it’s not just at the Games.

“I think that’s made such a difference. I get really good questions now about my sport. It’s not just, ‘What is it you do?’, it’s insightful and I love that.”

Angie Ballard wins Bronze at Rio in 2016, one of her eight Paralympic medals won. Picture: AAP Image/Sport the Library, Drew Chislett

Angie Ballard will strive for her seventh Paralympic campaign this year. Picture: Francois Nel/Getty Images

Ballard is in line to compete at her seventh Paralympic Games after making her debut in Sydney in 2000. The wheelchair sprinter is in the final stages of qualifying for Paris and will head to Switzerland for the GrandPrix event in June to hopefully book her ticket to the Games.

Over the course of her journey, she has won eight Paralympic medals and has five World Championship titles. But being part of the growth of the Para-athletics movement is something the 41-year-old is most proud of and she can’t wait to share it with the rest of the team later this year.

“In 2000, I was exposed to so many amazing leaders within my community who I admired and watched and learned,” Ballard said. “It feels funny to be that kid now in this position.

“I love seeing the new generation come through and I love that it’s come full circle for me.

“I keep on trying to remind myself that 100 days is three months. It feels like 10 days in my head.

“There’s still a bit of work to hold on for that period and then hopefully everyone gets locked and loaded and it’s eyes on Paris.”

Originally published as ‘It’s more natural now’: Angie Ballard on the culture shift since Paralympic debut 24 years ago