Newborn son will be very much close to heart for Paralympic legend Curtis McGrath’s gold medal push

Australian Paralympic co-captain, and new father, Curtis McGrath is aiming to rewrite the history books at the Paris Paralympic Games in the comfort that his little boy is now heading home from hospital following open-heart surgery.

Australian para-canoe star Curtis McGrath has been here before.

The defending Paralympic Games champion with the world looking to steal his crown.

At Tokyo 2020, McGrath became the first para-canoe athlete to win two gold medals at a Paralympic Games when he defended his KL2 title then won the newly formed VL3 race.

Now he’s ready to rewrite the history books again.

“There’s a target on my back but at the same time there’s a bit of motivation to execute what I need to do,” he said.

“Everyone has been doing their work and making sure they’re in their best shape so I just have to make sure I’m doing all the right things.”

McGrath’s third Paralympics will be a little different to Rio and Tokyo.

He will be one of Australia’s co-captains alongside Angie Ballard, a role he described as a “real honour”.

And there is greater responsibility awaiting him back home in Queensland as a first-time dad.

Australia’s Paralympic team co-captains Curtis McGrath and Angie Ballard with flag bearers Madison De Rosario and Brendan Hall. Picture: Supplied

On July 24, McGrath’s wife Rachel gave birth to their first child, Monty, who needed open-heart surgery on the first day of his life.

In the lead-up to the Games, the first-time father said Monty was heading home.

“Both Rachel and I are over the moon with our little trooper and how well he has done,” McGrath wrote on social media.

“Rachel and Monty are looking forward to getting home and watching the Australian Paralympic team compete in Paris and have the green and gold pompoms ready to shout on from afar during my events in a few weeks.

“I’m so grateful for all the love, kindness and support we have received from so many incredible people over the last few weeks.

“It truly does take a village and in this case this saying has never been more true.”

McGrath headlines a para-canoe team of just three athletes, which also includes training partner Dylan Littlehales and Susan Seipel.

They have experienced the past three Paralympics together and been teammates since 2015.

“Dyl is a former world champion and he’s looking to take the next step to being a Paralympic champion,” McGrath said.

“We’re all excited to be here and execute as best we can.

“We’ve put in a lot of time, effort and work into it so we’re enjoying being here.”