No limits: Athlete shares inspiring message ahead of global games

A Toowoomba para-athlete will represent her hometown and country at an elite sporting competition in France. Read her inspiring story here.

Life has been far from easy for this disability advocate and para-athlete but all the hard work and persistence has paid off and now she’s reminding others to never give up.

Toowoomba woman Belinda Slatter has qualified to compete at the Virtus Global Games – an elite sporting event for athletes who live with an intellectual impairment.

Every year thousands of athletes from across the globe take part in the competition which will be held in Vichy, France next month.

Toowoomba woman Belinda Slatter has qualified to compete at the Virtus Global Games – an elite sporting event for athletes who live with an intellectual impairment. Picture: Nev Madsen

The 24-year-old who lives with an intellectual disability and Autism said she wanted to inspire other young people with different abilities to follow their dreams.

“You don’t have to be limited by your disability and you can do whatever you want to do if you put your mind to it,” she said.

“Don’t let people who (underestimate) you or put you down stop you from achieving something.”

While Ms Slatter admits she has never faced discrimination directly, she struggled to find a coach willing to train para-athletes.

Eventually the inspiring Toowoomba woman discovered her current coach Jackie Gallagher and has not looked back since.

Toowoomba woman Belinda Slatter has qualified to compete at the Virtus Global Games – an elite sporting event for athletes who live with an intellectual impairment. Picture: Nev Madsen

“Because I have an intellectual disability learning athletics isn’t always easy but I’m a very determined and goal-orientated person,” Ms Slatter said.

“Jackie is very supportive and I’ve hit a lot of targets with her as my coach.”

It will be the second time Ms Slatter competes at the event after she took part in 2019 when the games were held in Brisbane, Australia.

Just last year she also competed at the Virtus Oceania Games and won silver medals in the Heptathlon, hurdles and mixed relay, as well as gold in the women’s relay.

As a result of her successes at the event, she qualified to compete in the Virtus Global Games in June, where she will take part in the Heptathlon and 100m hurdles race.

Toowoomba woman Belinda Slatter has qualified to compete at the Virtus Global Games – an elite sporting event for athletes who live with an intellectual impairment. Picture: Nev Madsen

While the athlete said she was “very proud to represent Toowoomba” she was still in disbelief that she was going to France.

As the trip is predominantly self-funded, Ms Slatter is calling for support from the Toowoomba community and said she was grateful for all donations.

The sixth Virtus Global Games will run from June 4 to 10.

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