‘Embodied the true spirit of the Paralympic movement’: Kevin Coombs has died in Melbourne

The Indigenous athlete has been remembered by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as “a mentor and a source of inspiration to so many”.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese says Kevin Coombs will forever be remembered as an inspiration to Australian athletes, not just those with a disability.

Kevin Coombs OAM, the first Indigenous athlete to represent Australia at the Paralympic or Olympic Games has died in Melbourne aged 82.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said “Coombs was an Australian of great character and courage.”

“A trailblazer respected for his tenacity and a teammate loved for his loyalty and humour.

“He was a mentor and a source of inspiration to so many.

“Kevin will be dearly missed and long remembered for his contribution to our country.”

Coombs was the first Indigenous athlete to represent Australia at the Paralympic or Olympic Games. Picture: Michael Potter

Paralympics Australia president Alison Creagh said Coombs’ legacy will inspire generations to come.

“Kevin was a trailblazer who embodied the true spirit of the Paralympic movement.

“His contributions, both on and off the court, have had a profound impact on Australian Para-sport.

“He will forever be remembered as an inspiration to Australian athletes, not just those with a disability.”

Ms Creagh said Coombs helped to raise the profile of para sport.

“Kevin’s ongoing connection to every generation of Australian Paralympian, from the 1960s to the present day, is a testament to his enduring influence.”

“His dedication and passion as an athlete, along with his leadership roles as a captain, coach and mentor in later years, endeared him to everyone he engaged with and showcased his commitment to excellence.

“Kevin’s contributions paved the way for future generations who will go on to enjoy opportunity and success on the platform he and his teammates built so strongly and so bravely in the early days of Paralympic sport.”

Coombs became paraplegic after accidentally being shot in the back while shooting rabbits at age 12.

During his rehabilitation from the accident he was introduced to wheelchair basketball.

The Wotjobaluk elder made his first Paralympic appearance in the inaugural Rome Paralympic Games in 1960 as Australia’s only participating indigenous athlete.

The basketballer made five Paralympic Games appearances in 1960, 1968, 1972, 1980 and 1984.

This includes captaining the Australian men’s wheelchair basketball team in 1972 and captaining the entire Australian Paralympic team in 1980.

He also carried the Paralympic torch into the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games opening ceremony.

Coombs will be remembered for more than his contributions to sport with a 40 year career in healthcare.

He established the Koori Hospital Liaison Officer program in Victoria and was a co-ordinator of the Koori Drug and Alcohol program and a manager of the Koori health Unit.

Coombs was also awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia in 1983 and induced into the Victorian Indigenous Honor Roll in 2012.

He was also inducted into the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2007 and the Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2016.