Two-time Paralympian Carol Cooke is one of the most motivating figures in Australian sport.

She first dreamed of representing her country as a 14-year-old Canadian national watching the Opening Ceremony of the Montréal 1976 Olympic Games. Over the next four years, she put everything she had into becoming the best swimmer she could be, but when Canada decided to boycott the Moscow 1980 Olympic Games, Carol’s dream was shattered. Or so she thought.

A little over three decades’ later, Carol made her Paralympic debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games – for Australia, no less. By then, she had made the switch from swimming to Para-rowing to Para-cycling, and had never been more ready to take on the world. Carol competed in two events and won a gold medal in the mixed time trial T1-2.

Over the following four years, Carol took her career to new heights, and by the …

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Date of birth
6 August 1961
Sport
Para-cycling
Past Paralympic Games

London 2012, Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020

Impairment
Physical Impairment – Multiple sclerosis
How acquired
Unknown
Residence
Northcote, VIC
Occupation
Author, motivational speaker, professional fundraiser, event manager
Started competing
2011
First competed for Australia
2011
Sport career highlights

Winning a gold medal in the mixed time trial T1-2 at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

Greatest sporting moments

The Montréal 1976 Olympic Games, where she first dreamed of representing her country at the highest level

Heroes/role models

Tammy van Wisse

Favourite quote
Dare to face your fears and believe in yourself, you can accomplish anything

Disciplines

  • Sport: Para-cycling Discipline: Road race Classification: T2
  • Sport: Para-cycling Discipline: Time trial Classification: T2

Social Media

  • facebook
  • instagram
  • linkedin
  • twitter