‘Exposure really does change lives’: Boost in Paralympics popularity has Crothers excited for future as Paralympic swim team announced

Rowan Crothers is stoked to be heading to his third Paralympics but the swimmer is even more excited about the impact the surge in popularity of the Games will have on the next generation.

The thought of getting to represent Australia at his third Paralympics gives Rowan Crothers “goosies” but what has him really excited for Paris is the impact the Games will have on the next generation of young people living with a disability.

Crothers, 26, has seen plenty of change in the treatment of the Paralympics – especially over the past decade.

This week’s trials, held in Brisbane, was a prime example. The multi-class races were part of Channel 9s broadcast schedule. Athletes were interviewed pool side as were their families.

Crothers and Leary were part of the 30-person team named on Friday night for the Paralympics in Paris starting August 28.

The incredible stories of Alexa Leary – the Sunshine Coast swimmer who was told she would never leave her hospital bed after a horror cycling accident three years ago – and Crothers and his mission to be the first paraswimmer to crack the 50 second mark in the 100m freestyle – were given plenty of airtime.

They captivated the nation and more importantly sparked new dreams for kids living with a disability.

Growing up Crothers, who has cerebral palsy, rarely saw athletes with disabilities in any mainstream media.

“When I was a young I didn’t think I’d be successful at anything,” Crothers said.

“I had so many doctors telling me that I’d never be independent, that I’d never be able to walk, I was placed in the bottom 1 per cent of the population for communication skills,” he said.

“Then I discovered the Paralympics and realised this is something that I could actually achieve, being exposed to that changed my entire life.”

Crothers said the equal treatment of Para and able-bodied athletes would have a lasting impact.

A pumped Rowan Crothers winning gold in Tokyo. Picture: Naomi Baker/Getty Images

“I remember when the Paralympic races at national championships and trials used to be used as commercial breaks,” he said.

“They would turn the cameras around and the cameramen would have a chat to each other instead of filming the racing.

“Whereas now it is one of the main draw cards when it comes to swimming within Australia – it is so incredible to see that change because that exposure really does change lives.”

Crothers said the increase had led to better resources as well and a new level of professionalism.

“It has me so excited for the other future Rowan’s that are around the place and young kids with disabilities that have never seen anyone like them on TV before,” he said.

Crothers returned from Tokyo with two gold medals and a silver – from the 50m freestyle (S10), 100m freestyle (S9) and the 4x100m relay respectively.

The Queenslander said his achievements have never been seen as second rate or less than those made by the able-bodied athletes at the Olympics.

“A lot of the time if I’m out and about or chatting to a reporter I’ll be asked how it feels to be an Olympic gold medallist or how it feels to be an Olympian when in reality I am not an Olympian,” he said.

“I’m a Paralympic athlete – it means a lot to me that the Paralympics is being seen as the same level of competition.”

Originally published as ‘Exposure really does change lives’: Boost in Paralympics popularity has Crothers excited for future as Paralympic swim team announced