‘It’s game changing’: Madison de Rozario praises incredible homecoming as Paralympians return

Australia’s Paralympians returned home following a successful Paris campaign, and for five-time veteran Madison de Rozario the public’s support is set to inspire our next generation of stars.

Madison de Rozario remembers a time when the return of Australia’s Paralympians would barely raise a mention.

It’s why the five-time Paralympic Games veteran is so proud to witness first-hand how times have changed.

The athletes returned to a hero’s reception as fans packed out a specially-designed Qantas hanger to welcome them home from successful Paris campaign.

Among those on hand were Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Governor-General Sam Mostyn, and de Rozario was blown away with the reception compared to when she made her Games debut as 14-year-old in 2008.

“When I was growing up I knew Louise Savage and she was the only Paralympian who was a household name,” she said.

Paralympian and flag-bearer Madison De Rozario is welcomed home from Paris by Bill Shorten, her physio Ned Brophy-Williams and friends. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

“It’s so different now. We came out of Tokyo as the most loved Australian team and it wasn’t because we were good at sport, it’s because people loved the personalities of the team, loved the people and the humans that we were.

“If I look at what Beijing was like, it’s night and day to what we’re seeing here today.

“Australia is seeing what us as Paralympians has always seen. I’ve loved this team since I was 14 and to get to share that with Australia is honestly such a privilege.

“It’s one of the most beautiful things to have people come along on this journey with us.

“We’re who we are as Paralympians, but the movement is carried by the public and the community. To have so many people come on board with that is game changing.”

Trying to emulate her Tokyo heroics of dual goal medals was always going to be a challenge, but de Rozario takes pride in picking up silver and bronze after the heartbreaking passing of her father just hours after the opening ceremony.

Governor-General Sam Mostyn, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and members of the Australian Paralympic Team. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

“As far as my last two years as an athlete it’s been the most challenging,” she said.

“I’m a different athlete to where I was three months ago. I don’t think I would’ve found myself on the podium then, where to be on it twice this time around is a huge credit to my team.

“You can win races in lots of different ways, and what’s important to me at this point in my career is racing in a way I’m really proud of.

“42km brings out the best and the worst of us. It makes you want to do whatever you can to get to that finish line.

“That’s not the athlete I want to be. I want to be someone that races with a lot of integrity. If I win races, if I win silver in a marathon I want it to be because I deserved it and I’m really glad that I was able to put together a race that I’m really proud of.”

Fan favourite Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson was swarmed by media and the public chasing selfies, and it’s this level of support that has him eyeing off a home campaign in Brisbane.

“This is one of the first receptions we’ve had like this. It’s pretty special,” he said.

Felicity Ayers, Aria Ayers, Tegan Ayres and Shauna Martin here to welcome home Nikki Ayers. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

“Also just getting off the plane and walking through the terminals. Everyone just wanting to say hello and clapping us as we’re walking through, that was really special.

“They love sportsmanship. I remember in the 50m breaststroke me and a Mexican swimmer shook hands and they went ballistic.

“That’s what drives me to swim for LA and 2032 (in Brisbane), because a home crowd would be amazing.”

Wheelchair rugby stalwart Ryley Batt made his sixth Paralympics in Paris, and despite

“The Paralympics is an emotional rollercoaster, it’s an amazing rollercoaster,” Batt said.

“The support we get from home and the amount of people that absolutely love the Paralympics is incredible.

“You look here today and we’re in the Qantas hanger. This is my sixth Paralympic Games and we’ve never done anything like this.

Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson with 11-year-old Oscar Doman. Picture: NewsWire/Gaye Gerard

“This is something really special. For the new athletes that are here today they’re going to be loving this.

“For the athletes at a grassroots level who are on the road to Brisbane, they’re going to be seeing this and they’re going to be so motivated to hopefully be in our shoes one day.”

One youngster who got to get up close with Patterson and Batt was 11-year-old Oscar Doman.

Oscar currently plays wheelchair tennis and basketball, and hopes to one day compete at the elite level like his heroes.

“As somebody who wants to play sport a lot, progress through and maybe get through to the Brisbane Paralympics, this is inspirational for him,” mother Tracey Doman said.

“We’re so pumped to be here, welcome everyone home and honour what they’ve done.”