While Sean Russo initially only took up swimming at the age of five due to his asthma, the water has since played an increasingly prominent role in his life.

Sean represented Australia for the first time at the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven and made the most of his opportunity. He won a bronze medal in the 100m backstroke, breaking the Australian record in the event and representing the highlight of his burgeoning career. At the same meet, Sean broke Australian records in the 400m freestyle and 100m butterfly to underlie his enormous potential.

Sean realised his dream when he was selected to compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He as unlucky to just miss a medal in his pet event, the 100m backstroke, finishing fourth.

His busy program also included the 100m butterfly, 50m freestyle, 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 200m individual medley and 100m breaststroke. He …

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Date of birth
5 April 1991
Sport
Para-swimming
Past Paralympic Games

London 2012, Rio 2016

Impairment
Vision Impairment – Retinitis pigmentosa
How acquired
Congenital condition
Residence
Revesby, NSW
Occupation
Student and Swimming Instructor
Started competing
1995
First competed for Australia
2010
Sport career highlights

Winning Bronze in the 100m backstroke at the IPC World Swimming Championships in 2010 and 2015

Greatest sporting moments

Acquiring the 100m backstroke World Record for Short course as I had been going for it for so long!

Heroes/role models

Ian Thorpe and Michael Phelps

Disciplines

  • Sport: Para-swimming Discipline: 100m backstroke Classification: S13
  • Sport: Para-swimming Discipline: 100m breaststroke Classification: SB13
  • Sport: Para-swimming Discipline: 100m butterfly Classification: S13
  • Sport: Para-swimming Discipline: 100m freestyle Classification: S13
  • Sport: Para-swimming Discipline: 200m individual medley Classification: SM13
  • Sport: Para-swimming Discipline: 50m freestyle Classification: S13

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