One other thing that was disappointing at the WAIS Athlete of the year awards was the fact that Wheelchair Sports WA Junior Athlete of the year Madison de Rozario was not included in the list of nominees for WAIS Junior Athlete of the Year.
Madison is a WAIS Scholarship holder, and in the World Championships she won 6 gold medals winning the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m 1500m and 5000m, for a clean sweep.
She also set Australian Open National Records in the 100m, 20m, 400m and 1500m.
She is a remarkable athlete and one that Louise Sauvage believes will surpass her achievements.
When we asked why she was not included in the finalists, we were advised that she did not qualify, because she was an athlete with a disability. What difference should that make?
We have seen Natalie du Toit – an amputee – swim for South Africa at Olympic and Commonwealth Games, and are likely to see more athletes with a disability cross over and take on able-bodied athletes. But in an awards situation surely all athletes should be judged together?
Obviously all hope to win, but realise that to be a finalist is an achievement, but to exclude an outstanding athlete because of a disability in this day and age defies belief.
