7 years until Brissie welcomes world's best Para athletes!

Somebody say 7 years to go!

With the countdown on to the 2032 Games, Paralympic swimming medallist Lewis Bishop (pictured) is hoping the milestone inspires next generation of sports stars to step into the spotlight.

Recently, Brisbane school students joined Lewis in participating in a State Government Para-sport activation session led by the Queensland Academy of Sport (QAS) Para Unit.

The session provided students with education and interactive drills to engage young people in inclusive sporting opportunities.

Bishop said he hoped the session inspired interest in Para-sport and but also highlighted the opportunities available for young athletes with disabilities.

The swimmer himself was inspired after meeting Paralympic legend Brenden Hall when he was just nine.

“I was reversed over with a boat, which basically cut up my leg. I was then flown to Brisbane from Papua New Guinea to have my leg amputated,” Bishop said.

Soon after surgery, he met Hall and said the meeting the knowledge he could still play sport gave him instant purpose.

“That’s what I think about when I am asked about legacy … not the medals but having the cut through to inspire people to take up para sport,” he said.

General manager of Swimming Australia’s Paralympic program Anna Johnson said: “As we mark seven years to the countdown for the Brisbane 2032 Paralympic Games, our vision is to inspire a new generation and more than double the pipeline of future Paralympians, ensuring Brisbane hosts the most successful Paralympic Games yet.”

“Brisbane 2032 is about nurturing a legacy that goes beyond elite sport, fostering inclusivity and excellence. As we enter the first year of our journey towards the LA 2028 Paralympic Games, highlighted by the World Championships in Singapore this September, tremendous efforts are already under way to discover new talent, support our coaches, develop new entry pathways, and enhance high-performance environments for athletes to thrive.”

CEO of Paralympics Australia Cameron Murray added sessions held by the QAS Para Unit were important for visibility: “Sessions like these are so valuable because they enable students to see a different perspective, challenge themselves and dream big.”

“Brisbane 2032 is about more than elite sport. It’s about creating a legacy for the next generation. By engaging with Para-sport, young people of all abilities can learn resilience, teamwork and the confidence to achieve more than they ever thought possible.”

Pic: Supplied QAS