Lauren Parker caps incredible year with Australia’s Paralympian of the Year award

Lauren Parker was recently crowned Australia's Paralympian of the Year at a stunning gala ceremony, three months after she won two gold medals in two sports – Para triathlon and Para cycling – at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Parker was beaten by just a second in Para triathlon’s PTWC race at Tokyo 2020, but three years later, she dominated the field in Paris. She led after the first segment, the swim, and finished the race more than a minute ahead of Tokyo 2020 gold medallist Kendall Gretsch of the United States.

Two days later, she competed in Para cycling, earning the silver medal in the women’s H1-3 individual time trial. The following day, she wrapped up her second Games by topping the podium in the women’s H1-4 road race.

Celebrating a successful year

Paralympics Australia held a ceremony at RACV Resorts Royal Pines on the Gold Coast on 30 November to celebrate athletes and their achievements at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, which took place from 28 August to 8 September.

The Australian Paralympic team won 63 medals (18 gold, 17 silver and 28 bronze) at Paris 2024, finishing ninth on the medals table.

Parker received the award from Paralympics Australia’s Patron-in-Chief, Her Excellency Sam Mostyn AC, the Governor-General of Australia. 

“What I’ve achieved this year sums up the hard work and dedication I’ve put into my sport and I never would have thought when I was in that hospital bed seven years ago, that I’d be on stage tonight receiving this award. Incredibly honoured,” Parker told Paralympics Australia.

Showcasing achievements

Nikki Ayers and Jed Altschwager received the Team of the Year award after they won gold in Para rowing PR3 mixed double scull, a new event at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. The pair earned Australia’s first Paralympic gold medal in the sport.

“It’s amazing to get to meet the trailblazers of the Paralympic Movement and the Mob,” Ayers said at the gala. “They’re the reason why we have what we have what today is.

“Tonight is about celebrating the athletes of Paris but also the athletes that have come before us.”

Among other winners, Para swimmer Alexa Leary was named Rookie of the Year for collecting two golds and a silver on her Paralympic debut. Leary dreamed of competing in triathlon at the Olympics before sustaining a brain injury because of a road cycle accident.

She won a gold and silver medal at her first Para swimming World Championships in Manchester, held a year before she topped the podium in the women’s 100m freestyle S9 and the mixed 4x100m medley relay 34 points at La Defense Arena in Paris.

The Male Athlete of the Year was awarded to sprinter James Turner, who was unbeaten at the Stade de France. He won the men's 400m T36 race with a world record before taking the top prize in the 100m.

“It’s dedication, not just from me, but from the entire team around me, from my squad, from my support staff, but especially from my coach who has been laying the path down for me for the last eight years,” Turner said.

The Coach of the Year award went to Maggie Meng, who helped Australia collect five medals in Para table tennis.

Paralympic swimmer Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson won the Uncle Kevin Coombs Spirit of the Games Award, while Boccia Australia High Performance programme received the Paralympics Australia President’s Award. The Australian Paralympic Medal was awarded to Tim Matthews.

Visit the Paralympics Australia website for more information about the 2024 Australian Paralympian of the Year Awards