Angela Ballard

Started: She took up the sport at age 12, when the New South Wales [NSW] Wheelchair Sports Association sponsored a chair for her. (susf.com.au, 2008) Reason: After her accident she was introduced to a wide range of wheelchair sports and discovered her passion for wheelchair racing. (abc.net.au, 14 Sep 2008) Awards: In 2013 she was named Athletics Australia's Para Athlete of the Year. (queanbeyanage.com.au, 30 Nov 2013) In 1999 she was named Australian Capital Territory [ACT] Academy of Sport's Athlete of the Year in the impairment category. (susf.com.au, 2008) Additional Info: TOKYO EXPERIENCE The 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo was the first Paralympic Games since Sydney 2000 where she did not win a medal. However, she still saw the 2020 Games as a significant moment in her career. "For me Tokyo 2020 was a beacon on the horizon of my athletic career. I've been racing internationally since 1998 and whilst I watch so many of [my] former teammates move on into coaching or their other lives, I can't seem to give it up. The body, my body, is older and the mind a little more warped but I do love figuring out how to race fast and strong. In Sydney 2000 I was 18 years old and privileged to make my first team. I came fourth [in Tokyo]. Someone asked after if that was the worst result. Not a medal, but oh so close. But for me it was huge. I've done something like 22 international finals at the world championships or Paralympics [speaking in 2021]. I've medaled at Athens, Beijing, London and Rio but this last cycle [Tokyo] has stripped me down and shown me again how hard we sometimes have to struggle for our goals but also our health and wellbeing. We can't always share the steps or moments of how hard or amazing or boring or significant it is that we do, but these Games really brought home for me what my journey is, why I do what I do and why I want to help others find that too." (SportsDeskOnline, 17 Sep 2023; pdcnsw.org.au, 15 Oct 2021) OTHER ACTIVITIES She has served as a board member of Wheelchair Sports New South Wales in Australia. (susf.com.au, 29 Jul 2021)