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Paralympic gold medallist Scott Reardon wants to continue his fight to “change the perception of people with disabilities around the world” after announcing his retirement from elite Para-athletics.
Reardon competed at three Paralympic Games and four World Championships in a glittering career, headlined by his Paralympic gold (Rio 2016) and silver (London 2012) in the men’s T42 100m.
He also amassed three consecutive 100m World Championship gold medals between 2013 and 2017 and a silver medal over 200m (2013).
Along the way, he set a world record, two Paralympic records and to this day, holds the World Para-Athletics Championships T42/63 100m record at 12.13.
From Temora in the NSW Riverina region which boasts a proud sporting history, Reardon found a pathway in athletics in 2006 when he attended a Paralympics Australia Talent Search Day, having previously represented Australia at the Water-Skiing World Championships.
Earlier this week, 3x World Champion and 2x Paralympic medallist @ScottReardo announced his retirement from international #ParaAthletics. Congrats Scott on an outstanding career and all the best for the future.
— AUS Paralympic Team (@AUSParalympics) October 20, 2021
Full story: https://t.co/l4eWcmGEQu#TeamReardo #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/ju6At1BQt3
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Officer Lynne Anderson said Reardon’s career was a testament to his renowned professionalism.
“We’re so fortunate that Scott attended our Talent Search day 15 years ago, where it was clear he had the attributes to become a world-class sprinter,” Anderson said.
“He set his mind to realising his potential and, with fantastic support from coach Iryna Dvoskina, Athletics Australia, the AIS and other important contributors, in coming years he became one of the leading Para-athletes on our Australian Teams.
“It wasn’t always a smooth ride. Scott stared down many challenges throughout his career but never made excuses and always gave his absolute best.
“On behalf of the Australian Paralympic family, I wish Scott all the very best for the next stage of his life.”
Chef de Mission Kate McLoughlin, who was part of the three Australian Paralympic Teams that Reardon featured in, said he has set a high benchmark for emerging T63 sprinters to emulate.
“I could not be any more proud of Scott’s achievements representing Australia and, equally, the humble and gracious way he has gone about his career from start to finish.
“Apart from being one of the world’s best ever T42 / T63 sprinters, Scott was an absolute pleasure to have on our Australian Paralympic Teams in London, Rio and Tokyo, where he always set an outstanding example as an athlete and as a team member.
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In announcing his retirement, Reardon paid tribute to two women who made the most profound impact during their Paralympic sport career, his coach Iryna Dvoskina and his wife, 2020 Paralympic long jump champion Vanessa Low.
“To be with [Iryna] for so long and to have the success that we did, means everything, and we did everything – we won one Paralympic championship, won world championships, world records and Paralympic records, and everything else in the book,” Reardon said.
“It was important to me to finish my career at a Paralympic Games because it is the pinnacle of what we do,” Reardon said.
“To do that with Vanessa [in Tokyo] was the number one priority for me, as we had always dreamed of being on an Australian team together.
“It’s nice to be remembered for success because it is pretty unique, but I really hope that when people look back at my career, they can see that if you dedicate yourself and put absolutely everything into it, regardless of your background – you can do amazing things.
“Hopefully the platform I was able to raise through athletics enabled me to be able to make a change in the perception of people with disabilities around the world, and I will continue to do that.”
Athletics Australia Chief Executive Officer Peter Bromley congratulated Reardon on his glittering career and thanked him for his contribution to the sport.
“To be a Paralympic gold medallist is something only a select group of individuals can call themselves, but what has been most impressive about Scott is his dedication to his craft, his determination to succeed and his positive attitude on and off the track, which ultimately lead him to become a real leader within our Australian Para-athletics Team,” Bromley said.
By: Paralympics Australia & Athletics Australia
Posted: 21 October 2021
