Alexa Leary blows sporting world away as Aussie breaks world record in epic Paralympics feat

Alexa Leary is the toast of the sporting world after the Aussie swimmer broke the world record twice on Wednesday and won gold in the 100m freestyle (S9) at the Paris Paralympics. After setting a world record time of 59.60 in the morning heats at La Defense Arena, Leary went one better in the final to claim gold with a time of 59.53.

It marked Leary's first individual medal at the Paralympics after her stunning swim to carry Australia to 100m relay glory two days earlier. It also marked another incredible milestone in the 23-year-old's "second life" after she suffered brain damage and long-term injuries in a bike accident in 2021.

Leary was a successful triathlete but nearly died when she fell off her bike and was hospitalised for weeks. Doctors informed her parents more than once that they should prepare to say goodbye to their daughter.

Searching for answers, Leary's parents turned to a clairvoyant who predicted the swimmer would rise to become a Paralympic gold medallist. "It is actually so amazing the fact that when I was in ICU, my dad got a fortune teller," Leary explained. "The fortune teller read that I wanted to go to the Paralympics, and now I'm here, I'm like 'wow, I did it'."

Leary's infectious personality and incredible comeback story has quickly made her one of the most-endearing characters in Australian sport. "It's a miracle that I'm living, and I'm walking and I'm talking. I was told that I never would three years ago, and I've just come so far," she said.

"I am so impressed with myself. I'm like, 'Lex, look how far you've actually come'. It's not sad to talk about, but it's an emotional thing. My family is the reason why I'm here, and they're up there [in the stands] looking at me. Honestly, it's amazing."

Lauren Parker's 44-year first with dual-sport medals

There was more impressive history for Australia in Paris on Wednesday, with Lauren Parker becoming the country's first dual-sport Paralympic medallist in 44 years. Parker won silver in the women's H1-3 individual time trial to add to her triathlon gold.

After finishing first in the para-triathlon on Monday, the Aussie was facing a huge task to match a feat last achieved by Eric Russell, who won a gold in shot put and two bronzes (discus and pentathlon) in 1980. The 35-year-old crossed the finish line in 24:24.09, just 9.5secs behind American winner Katerina Brim to take silver.

"If only I had the extra nine seconds in me," Parker quipped. "I couldn't have done anything more, I put it all out there on the race course. I can't believe that I've been able to do that, it's been a goal of mine to do both sports since Tokyo … I'm very happy with that."

Parker is still a chance to grab a second gold medal in the cycling road race on Thursday morning (Paris time). "It's been a mental game to get through my bike accidents so to achieve what I've achieved so far... I'm happy," she said. "We're two down and one to go and it's definitely going to be tough, I think all the girls will be feeling it out there … we'll see what it brings."

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Australia enjoyed another fruitful day at the Games, winning a total of nine medals - four of which came in cycling. Alana Forster (women's C5) and Darren Hicks (men's C2) claimed bronze in their individual pursuits, while Alistair Donohoe (men's C5) and Meg Lemon (women's C4) won silvers.

with AAP