Discrimination creating barriers to sporting success for our elite disabled athletes

Paralympic medallist Nikki Ayers wants to see women athletes recognised for the contributions they make to sport and society. (ABC News: Scott Jewell)

At her debut Games in Paris, Nikki Ayers rowed herself into the record books, alongside Jed Altschwager, as the first Australians to win a gold medal in Para rowing.

Despite this success, the now 35-year-old, initially decided to take a break from rowing after the Games due to a difficult relationship with a member of her support team.

"[They] made me feel like I had less value, made me feel like I wasn't good enough," Ayers told ABC Sport.

"At times I felt objectified, that I wasn't worthy of being anything more than someone who could win a gold medal."

Read more on the original article : https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-08-09/discrimination-barriers-sporting-success-elite-disabled-athletes/106976092