Matthew Cameron has always used a wheelchair after being born with popliteal web syndrome, an extremely rare physical disability that doesn’t allow him to stand and has forced him to undergo 25 operations since birth. Despite this, Matthew says he is always up for a challenge and will have a go at any sport. He is particularly gifted at wheelchair racing which saw him compete at his first Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Unfortunately he didn’t make the finals in the 100m and suffered another blow when the 4x100m relay team was disqualified. There was confusion at the changeover zone when the first pusher, Matthew, arrived before the second one, forcing him to slam on his breaks and be thrown from his chair. Despite this, he loved every minute of his experience in Beijing, from racing to meeting new and fascinating people in the athletes’ village, and sees his races as …

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Date of birth
20 September 1985
Sport
Para-athletics
Past Paralympic Games

Beijing 2008

How acquired
Birth
Residence
Wynnum, QLD
Occupation
Compliance enforcement officer
Started competing
2005
First competed for Australia
2006
Sport career highlights

Competing in Beijing - the atmosphere and knowing that he was racing the best

Greatest sporting moments

Australia qualifying for the 2006 Football World Cup

Heroes/role models

Louise Sauvage, Kurt Fearnley, David Weir

Disciplines

  • Sport: Para-athletics Discipline: 100m Classification: T54
  • Sport: Para-athletics Discipline: 4x100m relay Classification: T54

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