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Aussie Paralympian Dylan Alcott reveals his struggles with self-worth and body image and says sport ‘saved his life’

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As an ardent fan and admirer of Dylan Alcott, I am consistently inspired by his incredible journey and the indomitable spirit he embodies. Born with a tumor wrapped around his spinal cord, Dylan’s life took a dramatic turn, yet he transformed adversity into triumph through sheer grit and determination.

Australian Paralympian Dylan Alcott candidly shared that he once wrestled with self-perception regarding his physical appearance, but participating in sports became a lifesaver for him.

The 33-year-old Australian champion of wheelchair sports will be featured on the cover of an upcoming issue of Men’s Health Australia, where he revealed that he faced bullying as a child due to his disability. However, he discovered a means of expression through sports.

As a child, sports were something I cherished deeply, yet I had limited opportunities to engage with them. Remarkably, it was the discovery of Paralympic sports that proved to be life-saving for me.

As a devoted advocate for wellness, the tangible improvements to both my body and mind are undeniably significant. However, what truly resonates with me is discovering my tribe – fellow individuals living with disabilities who not only survive but flourish.

As a child, the athlete from Melbourne wishes he’d witnessed individuals with disabilities participating in sports, as it would have significantly boosted his spirits during that time.

‘I’ve never seen anyone else who looked or acted like me doing anything similar to this. It would have been incredibly empowering for me at a time when I was really struggling with my self-esteem and body image.’

Through participating in wheelchair sports, Dylan discovered a renewed sense of purpose that significantly enhanced his perspective on life.

Feeling liberated, I found release from my personal doubts about myself and the torment of bullying. Out in the open, I took chances and it was nothing short of breathtaking.

At the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, Alcott triumphed by winning a gold medal as part of Australia’s wheelchair basketball team, the Rollers. Later, in the 2012 London Games, Alcott earned a silver medal.

After his retirement following the Australian Open in January 2022, he shifted his focus towards commentary work, landing a role as a commentator during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

Elsewhere, the esteemed Paralympian recently struck a deal to create a fiction series for middle-school-aged kids to celebrate and normalise disability, difference and inclusion.

Born with a tumor encircling his spinal cord, Alcott underwent an operation to have it removed, leading to him being paralyzed from the waist down as a result.

Throughout his professional sports journey as both a wheelchair tennis and basketball athlete, he amassed numerous Grand Slam championships and Paralympic gold medals.

2021 saw Alcott notch an impressive achievement in her career – she managed to secure a Golden Slam, which means she won all four major titles and the Paralympic gold medal in a single year.

In 2022, Alcott was named Australian of the Year and was made an Officer of the Order of Australia.

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2024-08-17 10:04

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