The Paris 2024 Olympics might have concluded, but the excitement is far from over as the Paralympics edge ever closer with each passing moment. To ride the wave of anticipation, we’ve compiled a list of Aussie Paralympic athletes to watch out for in this year’s games.

Growing up in a household that adored sports, the Olympics have always been a monumental event for me. We treat the opening ceremony as if it were a historic occasion like the moon landing. The living room echoes with Filipino exclamations during swimming heats, and any Olympic drama becomes the hot topic on our commutes to work.

One of the highlights of the Olympics and the Paralympics is the introduction to rising athletes from diverse backgrounds.

Without further delay, here are some standout Australian athletes to keep an eye on at this year’s Paris 2024 Olympics.

Here are 15 Aussie Para-athletes you need to watch at this year’s Paris 2024 Paralympics

15. Lauren Parker

Sport: Para-triathlon and Para-cycling

All eyes will be on para-triathlete Lauren Parker at the 2024 Paris Paralympics. She made her Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, clinching a silver medal with a remarkable time of 1:06:26.

Before transitioning to Para-athletics, Lauren was a top-tier able-bodied triathlete. In 2017, she suffered an accident while training for the Ironman Australia Triathlon.

“I broke my shoulder, four ribs, punctured a lung, fractured my pelvis and back, and suffered spinal cord damage, leaving me paralyzed from the waist down,” she shared with the NSW Institute of Sport.

“It changed my life in an instant. I underwent spinal fusion surgery, where I was told I'd never walk again and would need to spend my life in a wheelchair.”

After her recovery, she devoted herself to becoming a Para-athlete, winning a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games just a year post-injury.

Lauren currently holds the title of world champion in the PTWC triathlon and is aiming for significant victories in her first major international para-cycling event at this year’s Paralympics.

14. Jaryd Clifford

Sport: Para-athletics

Jaryd Clifford, at just 25, is already a two-time Paralympian with three medals to his name. This world champion in middle and long-distance running debuted at 17 during the Rio Games, where he gained international recognition for racing faster than the Olympic equivalent.

Now, eight years later, his performance has only improved.

Jaryd, diagnosed with juvenile macular degeneration, is legally blind. Although he can see track outlines, he competes in the 5000m race with his best friend Tim Logan. They are connected by a 30cm tether, with Tim acting as Jaryd’s eyes on the track.

As he prepares to compete in Paris, he’s set on realizing his childhood dream of winning gold.

13. Jamieson Leeson

Sport: Boccia

Jamieson Leeson grew up in the small town of Dunedoo, New South Wales.

With no Para-sport opportunities available, she never considered herself athletic. However, in 2019, at 21, she competed in the NSW State Titles for Boccia—one of the two Paralympic sports without an Olympic counterpart. Just a year later, she made her Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics.

If you’re not familiar, Boccia involves athletes throwing, kicking, or using a ramp to roll a ball onto the court, aiming to get their ball closest to the ‘jack’ ball. It’s specifically designed for athletes with locomotor disabilities.

This time, Jamieson will compete in the singles BC3 and Pairs BC3 competitions. 

And here’s the sweetest part: Dunedoo now boasts a mural in her honor. We love to see it!!!

12. Alexa Leary

Sport: Para-swimming.

You may have seen 22-year-old Alexa Leary trending about a week ago for her funny yet captivating post-swim interview, where she discussed her journey to the Paris 2024 Paralympics, her family of seven accompanying her, and her love for music!

Leary secured her Paralympic spot after clinching gold in the 100m Freestyle S9 at the World Para Swimming Championships.

For those unfamiliar with Leary’s story, she suffered severe head injuries in a 2021 cycling accident that nearly claimed her life.

“Everyone said goodbye to me. They thought I wouldn’t make it. That’s why I’m called a miracle. They said I’d never walk or talk again,” Leary shared in an interview with 9News.

As she recovered, the triathlete revealed that music played a major role in her recovery and she created some great tunes after her release from the hospital.

After the Paralympics, I’m eagerly awaiting her mixtape!

11. Vanessa Low

Sport: Para-athletics.

Like fellow Olympian Kaylee McKeown, this isn’t Vanessa Low‘s first Olympic experience. She’s here to win medals and outdo her own record.

Currently, the 33-year-old holds the world record in the women’s long jump T61.

At 15, Vanessa was in a tragic accident, falling from an overcrowded train platform, which resulted in the loss of her legs, head and back injuries, and multiple broken bones.

Low first competed in the Paralympics for Germany in 2012 and represented Australia at the Tokyo Paralympic Games in 2020.

During the 2020 Games, Low broke her own record three times. She’s truly unstoppable!!!

10. Ameera Lee

Sport: Para-archery.

Ameera Lee, living with multiple sclerosis, is set to make her mark at her first Summer Games during this year’s Paris 2024 Paralympics!

The 50-year-old athlete embarked on her Para-archery journey in 2016, officially debuting at the 2018 Para-archery European Circuit.

Last year, Lee realized her dream of representing Australia in the Paris 2024 Paralympics by securing a quota spot!

She’s aiming for the podium, and I’m rooting for her to achieve it!

9. Benjamin Hance

Sport: Para Swimming

After earning three medals at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, 24-year-old Benjamin Hance is a key athlete to watch at the Paris Games. He not only won the gold medal in the men’s 100m Backstroke S14 but also shattered a world record. He secured a bronze in the 100m Butterfly S14 and a silver in the 4x100m freestyle relay S14.

Benjamin thrives in competition and is considered one of Australia’s top medal prospects. Let’s go, Ben!

8. Chris Bond

Sport: Wheelchair Rugby

Two-time Paralympic gold medalist Chris Bond is gearing up for his fifth Paralympics—yes, fifth! At 38, he’s become a superstar in wheelchair rugby.

At 19, Chris became a quadruple amputee due to acute promyelocytic leukemia and a severe bacterial infection. A passionate rugby player, he naturally transitioned to wheelchair rugby.

Four years after joining The Steelers in 2011, the team secured two Paralympic titles and a World Championship. They dominated until narrowly losing to Japan in the 2018 World Championships.

“Representing my country was a childhood dream,” he told Paralympics Australia.

“After everything I’ve been through, being captain of the Australian team and leading them to a World Championship victory was incredibly special.”