Samantha Schmidt

Started: She took up athletics throwing events at age five. "I do all the events because it keeps me active and motivated, but discus is my main event and the one I love the most." (bundabergtoday.com.au, 30 Jul 2021; bundabergnow.com, 24 Jul 2021) Reason: She became interested in Para athletics after she watched the Paralympic Games with her parents as a child. "When I was younger my dream was to go to the Olympics, but I had a lot of people saying, 'You won't make it' or 'You won't be able to go because of your disability'. What they call a disability, I call a challenge, because it is a challenge. It's not something that everyone out there can go through. I think of it this way - you do something and, if you can't do it because of your disability, then it's a challenge. I have had many challenges in my life, but I have overcome them." (bundabergtoday.com.au, 30 Jul 2021; bundabergnow.com, 24 Jul 2021) Ambition: To compete at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. She hopes to still be competing by the 2032 Games in Brisbane. (Instagram profile, 06 Sep 2021; bundabergtoday.com.au, 30 Jul 2021)