Running with Tony Buti: Rhiannon Clarke on recognising disability and her experience at the Paris Paralympics

University student Rhiannon Clarke is aged only 22 but already a dual Paralympian, specialising in the 100m, 200m and 400m running events. We caught up at McGillivray Oval, Mount Claremont. Tony Buti: Not long ago, you were at the Paris Paralympics. Can you tell us about that experience and your performance? Rhiannon Clarke: Racing in the stadium was incredibly exciting — it was so loud! The stadium was sold out, which I hadn’t expected. It was great to see so many people supporting para-athletes, especially after hearing for years that people didn’t want to watch us. Having support from home made it even better. While it would have been nice to be on the podium, I was happy to run four personal bests, which were also Australian and Oceania records. TB: You were 19 at the Tokyo Olympics, right? RC: Yes, I was 19 in Tokyo. I was one of the younger athletes there. It was a different experience due to COVID; running in empty stadiums was a bit boring. I love performing in front of a crowd. It was still a memorable experience although I missed having my family and friends there to support me. TB: Were you concerned about getting COVID and having to pull out? RC: Absolutely. Many athletes caught COVID before the Paralympics, so we were all on edge, trying to stay safe. Coming back to Australia from Tokyo and doing two weeks of quarantine in Melbourne added to the mental strain, but it made me stronger. TB: What classification do you compete under? RC: I compete in the T38 classification, which is for athletes with mild neurological impairments. This category includes people with various disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and those who have had strokes. My cerebral palsy affects both my legs and my right arm, impacting my coordination, balance, and endurance. TB: What’s a typical training week for you? RC: A typical training week during my full training load includes three gym sessions, three track sessions, a water running session, a stationary bike session, and two core workouts. As I get closer to competitions, the intensity decreases, usually down to just three track and three gym sessions. TB: You have previously mentioned that some people don’t fully acknowledge or recognise your disability. Can you elaborate on that? RC: Definitely. Throughout my journey, I’ve realised that when people start questioning or dismissing my disability, it might mean I’ve made it up. Some individuals with more severe disabilities have told me that I don’t belong in parasport because my disability isn’t visible. But I do have limitations, and my disability affects me. I’ve learned to cope with those dismissive attitudes, but I think the disability community needs to be more open. At the same time, everyone I compete with is supportive; we’re all there to compete and lift each other up. TB: How did you feel when people questioned your disability? RC: It hurts when people say I don’t deserve my place because I’m “less disabled.” No able-bodied athlete gets told they don’t deserve their success for being too able-bodied. It took me years to feel confident in my identity and to tell people I’m disabled. Now, I embrace it because it’s part of who I am. TB: Do you feel like a spokesperson or role model for people with disabilities? RC: I do want to make an impact and help others understand disabilities, especially invisible ones. Even with a physical disability, mine is mostly invisible, and it still affects me. I want society to accept and respect everyone with disabilities, as we all have unique abilities. TB: Growing up with your disability, how did that affect your experience at school and in sports? RC: In primary school, I was aware of my disability and had to wear a splint because of Botox treatment and therapy. I did face some bullying because I was different and struggled with sports. I resented my disability for a while, but winning a race in Year 6 helped boost my confidence. I didn’t initially want to try athletics, but I’m so glad my mum encouraged me. TB: What about high school? RC: In high school, I hid my disability and didn’t share it with others. I felt alone at athletics competitions because there weren’t many other para-athletes around. It wasn’t until I was selected for the 2018 Commonwealth Games that I had to tell people about my disability, which was a challenging experience. But I wish I had been more open about it earlier. TB: How did your mum influence your journey? RC: My mum has been my biggest advocate from the start. She got me diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a young age, which made a huge difference. If I hadn’t received early intervention, my life would be very different. TB: What advice would you give to your 10-year-old self? RC: I’d tell myself to be confident and not to listen to negative people. Having a disability is not the end of the world; you can still do amazing things. TB: And what would you tell society about disabilities? RC: I’d tell society to treat everyone with disabilities the same way they treat others — kindly and respectfully. It’s important to understand that we are all human and just a bit different.