Cowdrey and Freney finalists for Paralympian of the Year

Swimming Australia
Published: Nov 5, 2012 03:39:25 PM Updated: Mar 19, 2013 09:38:15 AM

As a result of their outstanding performances at the London Paralympic Games, Matthew Cowdrey and Jacqui Freney are both in the running for the 2012 Paralympian of the Year.

The Australian Paralympic Committee announced the six finalists for the awards this morning, ahead of the ceremony to be held on Thursday night, November 7.

Joining the two swimmers in the top six are Evan O’Hanlon and Kelly Cartwright for athletics, Felicity Johnson for cycling and Ryley Batt for wheelchair rugby.

The 2012 Paralympian of the Year Awards, to be held at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion, aim to recognize and honour the amazing achievements of the 2012 Paralympic Team.

After finishing fifth overall on the medal tally at the London Games, the team was not short on talent to choose from.

In London, Cowdrey collected five gold, two silver and one bronze medal, taking his gold medal haul from three Paralympic Games (Athens, Beijing and London) to a staggering total of 13.

In doing so he surpassed Paralympic sprinter Tim Sullivan’s 10 gold medal record and officially became Australia’s most successful Paralympian ever.

Also impressing in London was Freney who collected a perfect score, winning eight gold medals from eight events, becoming the most decorated athlete at the Games.

Together, Cowdrey and Freney won 13 gold medals for the Australian Paralympic Team in London.

Awards will also be presented to the best male, female and junior athlete, best coach and best team of 2012.

Other swimming nominees include Maddison Elliott and Katherine Downie for ‘Junior Athlete of the Year’, the women’s 4x100m freestyle relay team for ‘Team of the Year’ and Paralympic Head Coach for swimming Brendan Keogh for ‘Coach of the Year’.

Freney and Cowdrey are also both finalists in the Male and Female Athlete of the Year categories.

The National Welcome Home celebration for the 2012 Paralympic Team will be held this Friday, November 9 at the Sydney Opera House.

More than 200 Team members will be there to soak up the atmosphere at the Sydney Opera House from 11am to 1pm as it’s the last chance for our Paralympians to say thank you to the Australian public for their amazing support of the 2012 team which won 85 medals at the London Paralympic Games.

Finalists

Paralympian of the Year

Ryley Batt – wheelchair rugby

Kelly Cartwright – athletics

Matthew Cowdrey – swimming

Jacqueline Freney – swimming

Felicity Johnson – cycling

Evan O’Hanlon – athletics

Male Athlete of the Year

Ryley Batt – wheelchair rugby

Matthew Cowdrey – swimming

Daniel Fitzgibbon – sailing