Newcastle para-athlete Lauren Parker was named the Athlete of the Year with a Disability at the NSW Champions of Sport ceremony in Sydney on Monday night. It was the sixth time Parker has received the honor, capping an incredible 2024.
The 35-year-old, who was paralysed from the waist down in a freak training accident in 2017, became Australia's first dual-sport Paralympic gold medallist at the same Games in 48 years. She won gold in the women's H1-4 Road Race and the women's PTWC Triathlon in Paris, along with a silver medal in the women's Road Trial H1-3.
Parker also served as the Australian team women's flag-bearer at the closing ceremony. She previously won the award in 2018, 2019, 2022, and 2023.
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