The Australian’s Australian of the Year: Paralympian’s inspirational journey is only just beginning

From a tragic cycling accident to setting world records on the biggest sporting stages in the world, Paralympic champion Alexa Leary’s story is one of determination and inspiration.

Alexa Leary at home in Noosaville after returning from the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester with her gold and silver medal. Picture: Lachie Millard

From a tragic cycling accident to setting records on the biggest sporting stages in the world, from life-changing brain damage and learning to walk and talk again to two gold medals and one silver in Paris, Alexa Leary’s story is one of determination and inspiration.

She is The Australian’s latest nomination for Australian of the Year.

Three years ago, during a training exercise in Queensland, Leary collided with another cyclist and was thrown to the ground, suffering severe head trauma.

The accident left her fighting for her life, with doctors uncertain whether she would survive let alone regain full function.

Despite defying the odds, she still suffers the consequences.

“I have to restart a whole new life every day,” she told Stellar magazine. “Sometimes, due to my memory loss, I don’t actually know what I’m meant to be doing or what’s happening. I’m living a second life.”

Leary transitioned from triathlons to swimming after the accident but says she was destined from a young age to end up in sports. “I’m just a person who loves sports,” she said.

“I have since I was little. It makes me feel so good when I’m in that water and I’m moving my body. Three years ago, when they said I wouldn’t survive, they didn’t know if I could walk or talk. Now I’m in that water, and I’m moving my body. I can even tumble turn.”

Leary has not only overcome the odds but is now one of the brightest stars in the Paralympic swimming world. At Paris 2024 she won two gold medals and a silver including setting the world record for Women’s 100m freestyle S9 and a Paralympic record for the mixed 4 x 100m medley.

Summing up her year on Instagram Leary emphasised that her journey is only just starting: “2024 has been a year of remarkable growth and achievements, each milestone a reflection of persistence, passion and purpose. I’ve overcome goals, embraced new challenges, and unlocked doors to opportunities I once only dreamed of. The journey continues, this is just the beginning.”