Hamish McDonald

Hamish is one of Australia’s greatest and most respected Paralympians. A legend both on and off the track, Hamish is a true inspiration. Hamish was named the 2003 Male Disability Athlete of the Year after breaking his own World Record in the seated shot put at the 2002 World Championships.

As well as being an exceptional sportsperson, Hamish is also an exceptional person. Learning to live life with a disability and gaining independence is remarkable in itself, however, Hamish has taken it upon himself to educate people, raise awareness and change peoples’ understandings. Hamish has used his position as a sportsperson to achieve these goals. Over the last year alone, Hamish has travelled to several islands in the Caribbean and South Pacific to implement sports programs for athletes with disabilities.

Hamish has made some significant contributions to the International Community both inside and outside of sport. Hamish is currently a member of the International Paralympic Committee Athlete Commission. He has also been involved with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) since 1998, travelling to two refugee camps on the Thai/Cambodian border. Hamish also represented the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) at the 2003 South Pacific Games as an athlete ambassador to help raise awareness of drugs in sport.

A legend the world over, Hamish is looking to add to his already extensive resume at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing.