Life changed dramatically for BMX rider Sam McIntosh when he broke his neck casing the landing of a “pretty unspectacular” jump while holidaying with his family in 2007.

Then, after a chance encounter with the mum of four-time Paralympian Richard Colman, Sam’s life took another unexpected turn. Although neither of them knew it at the time, Sam would go on to represent Australia in Para-athletics at three Paralympic Games and three World Championships – but not before a second broken neck threatened to end his career before it had really begun.

Nearly a year to the day after Sam made his international debut at the 2011 International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand, he was celebrating the 2012 New Year with his mates when his wheelchair flipped backwards and he fractured his C7 vertebrae. It was three months before he returned to training, and with even less …

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Date of birth
13 July 1990
Sport
Para-athletics
Past Paralympic Games

London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020

Impairment
Physical Impairment – Incomplete quadriplegia
How acquired
BMX accident
Residence
Ocean Grove, VIC
Occupation
Personal trainer, motivational speaker
Started competing
2009
First competed for Australia
2011
Sport career highlights

Representing Australia at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Greatest sporting moments

Returning from injury to compete in the men’s 100m T52 at London 2012

Heroes/role models

His dad

Favourite quote
The difference between the impossible and the possible lies in a person's determination - Tommy Lasorda

Disciplines

  • Sport: Para-athletics Discipline: 100m Classification: T52
  • Sport: Para-athletics Discipline: 400m Classification: T52

Social Media

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