Michal Burian

Started: He took up the sport at age 13 in Malta Boleslav, Czechia, having also tried skiing, cycling, tennis, volleyball and canoeing. (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024; athletics.com.au, 25 Jun 2021) Reason: He decided to try javelin after watching Czech thrower Jan Zelezny at his local club in Czechia. "I was amazed with the javelin throw and based on my ability to throw far, I decided to start javelin." (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024; athletics.com.au, 25 Jun 2021) Ambition: To compete at the 2028 Paralympic Games in Los Angeles. He would also like to become a coach. (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024) Awards: He received the Senior Men's Club Spirit Award for 2022/23 from Sandringham Athletic Club in Melbourne, VIC, Australia. (Sandringham Athletic Club Instagram profile, 31 May 2023) Additional Info: FROM CZECHIA TO AUSTRALIA He was raised in Repin, Czechia, by his grandparents. In 2012 he moved to Australia after he was told he had no future in athletics due to his impairment. He obtained Australian citizenship in February 2021. "I was broken, I did not know what to do. My visa at that time was only for six months but I loved Australia, so I decided after three months that I never wanted to go back. It was an exciting but very difficult time. I struggled for money and I was working non-stop." (Athletics Australia Instagram profile, 14 Jul 2023; paralympic.org.au, 30 Aug 2021, 23 Aug 2021; athletics.com.au, 25 Jun 2021) OCCUPATION He has worked as a project coordinator for a commercial furniture company in Australia. (athletics.com.au, 25 Jun 2021)

Sporting Relatives: His younger brother Marek Burian has played tennis at national level in Czechia. (Athlete, 27 Aug 2024))