Tracy Barrell

In 1989, at the age of 14, her mother enrolled her with the NSW Amputee Sporting Association and she commenced her swimming career.^[1] She was coached by Mick Maroney and later by Greg Hodge.^[1][4] Her first major competition was the NSW State Games held at Narrabeen Sports Centre where she won gold in four swimming events and two athletics throwing events.^[2] Her results led her to being awarded the Athlete of the Games. She was classified as a S4 swimmer.^[3]

Thanks to her mother, who sold their farm to get tickets to Spain, she took part in the 1992 Barcelona Games.^[1] She won two gold medals at the Paralympics in the Women's 4x50 m Freestyle S1-6 event and the Women's 50 m Butterfly S3-4 event and finished fourth in two individual events.^[5]

In 1993, for her sporting achievements, including those at the Paralympic Games, she was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).^[6][7]

She retired from swimming in 1994 due to injury and surgery to her only arm.^[2]

In 2008, she represented Australia at the Shanghai Women's Sitting Volleyball Tournament.^[8]

Since her retirement from sport, she has been a strong advocate for opportunities for people with a disability.^[8] Between 2008 and 2015, she was an ambassador for Don't DIS my ABILITY, a program that provides inspirational role models for people with disabilities.^[1][9][10]

In 2011, she was denied access to all rides at Movie World Studios due to a change in their safety policy. In previous visits, she was able to access all the rides.^[11]

In 2013, she was appointed as a Living Life My Way Ambassadors and Champions by the New South Wales Government.^[12]

Barrell has indigenous heritage. In 2015, she was a spokesperson for First Peoples Disability Network and on December 3rd she took part in a celebration of indigenous Paralympians at National Centre of Indigenous Excellence in Sydney.^[13]