Paralympics, Day 7: Australia’s Latest Swim Sensation Alexa Leary Rocks Paris With A Golden Swim And A Second World Record in the 100m Freestyle S9
Australia’s Alexa Leary has rocked her way into the Paralympic historic books – winning a second gold medal and in her second world record time on a chart-topping seventh day of swimming in Paris for the Dolphins.
Leary, the 23-year-old Queenslander who suffered a Traumatic Brain Injury in an horrific bike accident on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast three years ago, powered her way to her first individual gold in the 100m freestyle for S9s in a time of 59.53 (27.91) – 0.07 under her own world mark set in the morning preliminaries.
Pushed all the way to the wall by US opponent who charged home to set a new American record of 1:00.18, with Brazil’s
Alex Leary S9 100free Paris 24 Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
(1:02.22) taking the bronze.
Leary’s victory coming two days after anchoring Australia to gold in the 4x100m Mixed Medley relay (34pt) also min a new world record-breaking time.
“It’s been a long, tough journey for me but it’s a miracle that I’m living…. that I’m walking and I’m talking…they were told I never would three years ago…and I’ve just come so far….” said Leary as she danced her way around pooldeck.
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“It’s been a long, tough journey for me but it’s a miracle that I’m living…. that I’m walking and I’m talking……. three years ago my family were told I never would …and I’ve just come so far.
Alex Leary S9 100free Paris 24 Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).
“I’m just a very determined person…. I am just out there to do it…whether you are told…. you are not or you are. I’m going to do if. I don’t care what you say…. I am very passionate for life…. the fact that I’m living my second life now….”
it’s an emotional thing because my family is the reason why I’m here….and they are up there (in the grandstand) looking at me…”
Her parents Belinda and Russ saying that their daughter “just wanted to show people that anything is possible after what she has been through over the last three years and even wi with her TBI (Traumatic Brain Injury) that anything is possible…. you have to get up there and make it happen….and put the work in….”
Russ revealing that not long after her daughter’s accident (a week-or two in) the family prepared to do whatever it took to save their daughter, hired a spiritual healer.
“Her name is Mikayla, and she told us Lex would win a gold medal at the Paralympics – that was three years ago….and it’s come true. Mikayla you’re a legend….and that’s when she couldn’t walk or talk…,” said Russ.
Alexa saying: “I never thought it was true that my Dad did this so I went and saw Mikayla and it was a year-and-a-half ago and I said…you were there with me in the ICU…. she was very good at her job….”
Alex Leary S9 100free Paris 24 Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
Alex Leary S9 100free Paris 24 Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia)
Alex Leary and Christie Raleigh-Crossley S9 100free Paris 24 Photo Courtesy Delly Carr (Swimming Australia).