'I felt I wasn't worthy': Para athletes on barriers in elite sport
Paralympic gold medallist Nikki Ayers walked away from rowing, feeling devalued in the sport. She's not alone; disabled athletes have told ABC Sport they face discrimination and burnout due to a lack of funding and support.
Nikki Ayers, a 35-year-old Australian Paralympic rower, felt she was not worthy of continuing her sport after winning a gold medal at her debut Games in Paris. She claimed that a member of her support team made her feel like she had less value and was not good enough. Ayers, who is a partial leg amputee and queer, took a break from rowing and eventually decided to retire completely.
She emphasized the need to create change to address such issues and allow women to be recognized equally in sports. Ayers' bravery and strength in sharing her experiences are commendable, but she noted that psychological safety was lacking at high levels of competition. Veteran Paralympian Danni Di Toro, also a female athlete, echoed Ayers' sentiments, highlighting the challenges women face in male-dominated sports environments.
Both athletes, along with many others, have shared their experiences of discrimination due to their impairments in a recent survey by the ABC. Despite some positive changes in the Paralympic movement, systemic issues still hinder the full participation of disabled athletes. Disparities in funding, from prize money to personal expenses for specialized equipment, make it difficult for many disabled athletes to maintain their careers.
The Australian Sports Commission recognizes these barriers and is investing in the Para Uplift program to address the critical issues affecting athletes' ability to succeed in high-performance sports.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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