Alexa Leary’s debut Paralympic performance in Paris has shown the world she is one of Australia’s rising star athletes.

Leary won a gold medal in the mixed 4x100m medley relay 34 points after an incredible final leg to comeback from behind, securing gold for Australia and helping break the Paralympic record alongside her teammates Jesse Aungles, Emily Beecroft and Tim Hodge (4:27.08).

She also added a silver medal to her resume in the Mixed 4x100m freestyle relay 34 points with Chloe Osborn, Rowan Crothers and Callum Simpson.

Leary grew up on the Gold Coast and Noosa in Queensland, where she was surrounded by sport. She started to swim at age seven, then she began cycling and competing in triathlons where she became the U18 vice-world champion.

In 2021, Leary was training on her bike when her front wheel clipped the bike ahead, causing her to fall and land on her head. Leary was airlifted to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where she had emergency surgery that night to save her life.

Leary spent six months in hospital, recovering and learning how to walk and talk again. Following her accident, which left her with brain damage and permanent weakness on her right side, Leary started to focus on swimming.

Two years later, Leary won gold in the Women’s 100m Freestyle S9 and the silver medal in the Women’s 50 m Freestyle S9 at the World Para Swimming Championships in Manchester.

World hold on because Alexa Leary has proven that the Paris Games are just the beginning of her Paralympic career.

CLASSIFICATIONS: S9, SB8, SM9