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Australian Paralympic icon Kurt Fearnley has become the ninth Paralympian to be inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
A five-time Paralympian, Fearnley’s remarkable wheelchair racing career spanned two decades and has continued with his tireless advocacy for disability rights and a well-deserved place among Australia’s sporting legends.
Reflecting on his induction into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, Fearnley said he was proud to recognised alongside the nation’s greatest sporting identities, including fellow giants of his beloved Paralympic movement.
“The list is just incredible, and I don’t know if I’ll ever see myself that way, but I’m grateful to be mentioned at the same time. It’s one of those ‘is this real?’ kind of moments.
“You’ve got the likes of Louise Sauvage who defined wheelchair racing in this country for over a decade, and I’m honoured to follow her.”
Congratulations to three-time Paralympic gold medallist and two-time Commonwealth Games medallist Kurt Fearnley AO, who has today been announced as a 2023 Inductee into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
— Sport Australia Hall of Fame (@sportaushof) October 4, 2023
Read more > https://t.co/WqV8xR3JoY pic.twitter.com/72TPkuTnDY
Fearnley’s illustrious career included 13 Paralympic medals including three gold, four World Championship victories, and dual Commonwealth Games golds. He made history in 2018 when he became the first athlete with a disability to win The Don Award in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame, recognising the most significant sporting moment of the year.
Fearnley was also inducted into the Australian Paralympic Hall of Fame in 2022.
Paralympics Australia Chief Executive Catherine Clark said Fearnley’s induction was another example of the growing impact Paralympians are making on Australian sport.
“Kurt has not only been an exceptional athlete but also a true ambassador for Paralympic sport and disability rights,” Clark said.
“Kurt’s marathon victory at the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, where he pushed the final five kilometres with a flat tyre, is part of Australian Paralympic folklore. Four years later, the defence of his marathon gold at the Beijing Paralympic Games when he entered the Bird’s Nest with the lead pack and then outsprinted everyone in the final 100m after 42km again exemplified what Australians love most about our Paralympian – their determination, toughness and courage.
“These achievements, as well as so many others, were nothing short of extraordinary and his dedication to breaking down barriers and inspiring change continues to this day.”
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Fearnley becomes the ninth Australian Paralympian to be honoured in the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
He joins Para-shooter Libby Kosmala, swimmers Priya Cooper and Matthew Cowdrey, wheelchair tennis player David Hall, wheelchair basketball player Troy Sachs, wheelchair racer Louise Sauvage, alpine skier Michael Milton, and multi-sport Para-athlete Frank Ponta.
Sport Administrators Dr George Bedbrook and Bob McCullough have also been inducted, having been meaningful contributors to the Paralympic movement.
Sauvage became the first Paralympian to be elevated to Legend status within the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 2019.
By: Tim Mannion, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 9 October 2023
