PARIS: Memories of moving some 3660 kilometres across Australia and struggling with homesickness flashed in Alex Saffy’s mind as he teared up at the Paralympic pool on Wednesday.
The 18-year-old won a bronze medal and set a new Oceanic record in the men’s 100m butterfly S10 at the Paris La Defense Arena, then swelled with emotion as he reflected on a move from Bunbury, situated about 168 kilometres south of Perth, to Canberra.
He made the move at 16 to take up a scholarship with the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) and begin studying at the University of Canberra as an elite athlete.
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The major life decision culminated in Saffy, who has cerebral palsy, snaring bronze with a 100m butterfly time of 56.61 seconds.
“Didn’t know anyone [when I moved to Canberra],” he told reporters.
“Left my family, went to a new school. It was a big change, I’m happy it’s paid off.
“Homesickness was a big one. I love my family, we’re all so close. So leaving them was such a big sacrifice.
“I’ve really questioned if everything in this sport is worth it for me and I’ve doubted it a lot, and that medal is such a relief.”
Italian Stefano Raimondi took gold with a time of 55.02 as Ihor Nimchenko of Ukraine secured silver in 55.21, while Australian Col Pearse finished fourth in 57.24.
Saffy’s mum and dad, younger brother, older sister and some friends were in the stands of the Paris La Defense Arena cheering on the young gun.
Although he spent years 11 and 12 in Canberra, he was a student at a West Australian school via distance.
“I love Bunbury,” he said.
“I grew up there and made so many good memories there.”
He competed at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 and is making his Paralympic debut in France.
“Three years of training for me has led to that point [winning Paralympic bronze], so it was very emotional,” Saffy said.
Australia’s Rachael Watson claimed her own bronze medal in the same session, finishing third in the women’s 100m freestyle S3.
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The 32-year-old clocked 1:38.92 to pick up her third Paralympic medal from three Games, after capturing gold at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.
“I’m really proud of myself,” Watson told reporters when asked about collecting her third Paralympic medal.
“But I’m more proud of my team around me; the people who actually support me to be able to swim the race I’m able to swim.
“A lot of people obviously don’t see the behind-the-scenes work that goes into it.
“Being able able to pull it together when there’s been challenges is something really special for me and my team.”
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