Jamieson
Leeson

If it is true that you are the company you keep, Jamieson Leeson is a star in the making.

She is friends with Australian jockey Hugh Bowman and his champion mare, Winx, and plays alongside world No. 3 boccia player Dan Michel.

But Jamieson, who was diagnosed with spinal muscular atrophy when she was 18 months old, is also putting in the work to become a sportswoman in her own right, making her Paralympic debut after only a year of competing in boccia.

Since being scouted at a school boccia tournament, Jamieson has improved out of sight. On the court, she has won a handful of medals, including silver ahead of Spencer Cotie (bronze) at the 2019 Boccia Australia National Titles, and off the court, she says that she has become a better person, because boccia has taught her to persevere.

For Jamieson, becoming a Paralympian is about more than the opportunity to represent her country – as incredible as she knows that is. She also hopes to be able to use the platform it creates to inspire others who have hopes and dreams similar to the ones she held not all that long ago.

Jamieson made her Paralympic debut at the Tokyo 2020, teaming up with Dan Michel and Spencer Cotie in the mixed pairs BC3 competition. Despite a valiant effort in the pools stage of competition, the Australian side failed to qualify for the semifinals after losing their final preliminary match to Hong Kong.