1 00:00:05,320 --> 00:00:09,000 Speaker 1: Welcome to a very very special bonus episode for the 2 00:00:09,039 --> 00:00:13,840 Speaker 1: Female Athlete Project. What a wild twenty four hours it 3 00:00:13,880 --> 00:00:17,280 Speaker 1: has been for those of you who've seen in the 4 00:00:17,280 --> 00:00:21,000 Speaker 1: media over the past couple of weeks, there was information 5 00:00:21,079 --> 00:00:25,840 Speaker 1: that came out that showed that Olympic athletes were rewarded 6 00:00:25,960 --> 00:00:28,520 Speaker 1: twenty thousand dollars for winning a gold medal when you 7 00:00:28,560 --> 00:00:31,920 Speaker 1: represent Australia, fifteen thousand for silver, and ten thousand dollars 8 00:00:31,960 --> 00:00:37,400 Speaker 1: for bronze. Paralympians who did the exact same thing were 9 00:00:37,560 --> 00:00:43,440 Speaker 1: rewarded nothing. There was no financial reward for Paralympic athletes 10 00:00:43,479 --> 00:00:47,839 Speaker 1: who won a medal at the current Tokyo Paralympics. There 11 00:00:47,880 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: was a lot of outrage on social media and we 12 00:00:51,200 --> 00:00:54,440 Speaker 1: wanted to do something about it. We wanted to use 13 00:00:54,480 --> 00:00:57,800 Speaker 1: our platform to create awareness on the issue, and we 14 00:00:57,880 --> 00:01:02,400 Speaker 1: also started a campaign using gofund me to raise the 15 00:01:02,440 --> 00:01:06,039 Speaker 1: funds for these Paralympic medalists so that they could have 16 00:01:06,120 --> 00:01:08,679 Speaker 1: some level of financial reward and we could take steps 17 00:01:08,720 --> 00:01:12,479 Speaker 1: to close that gap. We also launched a T shirt, 18 00:01:12,480 --> 00:01:15,119 Speaker 1: the Equal Tea, with one hundred percent of the profits 19 00:01:15,240 --> 00:01:20,480 Speaker 1: being donated to the campaign. We've had an incredible amount 20 00:01:20,520 --> 00:01:23,640 Speaker 1: of people come on board to donate, to support the Paralympians, 21 00:01:24,120 --> 00:01:28,240 Speaker 1: to spread this message, to share their anger and frustration 22 00:01:28,319 --> 00:01:30,560 Speaker 1: of the fact that these Paralympians are not rewarded to 23 00:01:30,600 --> 00:01:32,920 Speaker 1: the same level as the Olympians, and it's been incredible 24 00:01:32,920 --> 00:01:37,240 Speaker 1: to see the response. Following on from this huge response 25 00:01:37,240 --> 00:01:43,280 Speaker 1: from the Australian public, Scott Morrison announced that Paralympians in 26 00:01:43,319 --> 00:01:49,040 Speaker 1: Tokyo who medaled would receive equal medal bonuses to the Olympians. 27 00:01:49,200 --> 00:01:51,760 Speaker 1: So the Paralympians who win a gold in Tokyo will 28 00:01:51,760 --> 00:01:55,520 Speaker 1: get twenty thousand dollars silver, fifteen thousand dollars, ten thousand 29 00:01:55,560 --> 00:02:00,320 Speaker 1: dollars for bronze, which was a huge announcement. She was 30 00:02:00,320 --> 00:02:01,840 Speaker 1: in tears when it first got sent to me in 31 00:02:01,840 --> 00:02:03,480 Speaker 1: my group chat. I couldn't believe it was true. I 32 00:02:03,480 --> 00:02:06,360 Speaker 1: was getting messages from people saying congratulations and I didn't 33 00:02:06,360 --> 00:02:09,680 Speaker 1: actually know what they were referring to. What a huge 34 00:02:09,680 --> 00:02:13,840 Speaker 1: moment for these incredible Paralympians. The Paralympians who are currently competing, 35 00:02:13,880 --> 00:02:17,280 Speaker 1: What a huge moment for them, but also the multitude 36 00:02:17,360 --> 00:02:20,600 Speaker 1: of Paralympic athletes who've come before them, who've been fighting 37 00:02:20,600 --> 00:02:22,680 Speaker 1: for years and years and years for equality. I think 38 00:02:22,720 --> 00:02:27,240 Speaker 1: this is an incredible step in the right direction. A 39 00:02:27,280 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 1: couple of hours before this announcement was made by Scomo, 40 00:02:30,040 --> 00:02:33,400 Speaker 1: I got to sit down with Rio twenty sixteen Paralympic 41 00:02:33,440 --> 00:02:37,799 Speaker 1: gold medalist in paratriathlon, Katie Kelly, who is not only 42 00:02:37,840 --> 00:02:40,960 Speaker 1: an incredible athlete who's just competed over in Tokyo at 43 00:02:40,960 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 1: the Paralympics, but also an amazing advocate. She's got a 44 00:02:43,960 --> 00:02:47,040 Speaker 1: foundation called the Sport Access Foundation where she works with 45 00:02:47,120 --> 00:02:49,720 Speaker 1: kids with a disability to give them access to sport, 46 00:02:50,400 --> 00:02:53,079 Speaker 1: a foundation that we've been lucky enough to partner with 47 00:02:53,080 --> 00:02:54,880 Speaker 1: with a couple of our merch runs where we've been 48 00:02:54,919 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 1: able to donate and support the foundation. She's absolutely incredible, 49 00:02:59,040 --> 00:03:02,240 Speaker 1: as you'll hear, she's incredibly articulate, and I thought i'd 50 00:03:02,320 --> 00:03:05,680 Speaker 1: kick this one off with Katie introducing herself. But just 51 00:03:05,720 --> 00:03:09,040 Speaker 1: another precursor that this interview was conducted before the announcement 52 00:03:09,080 --> 00:03:14,200 Speaker 1: had been made. Katie Kelly, would you like to introduce 53 00:03:14,240 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 1: yourself to the listeners of the Female Athlete Project. 54 00:03:17,160 --> 00:03:20,400 Speaker 2: Hi, Choe, it's so great to be on the Female 55 00:03:20,480 --> 00:03:24,880 Speaker 2: Athlete Project. Disliked to say acknowledge all the work that 56 00:03:24,919 --> 00:03:28,360 Speaker 2: you're doing a voice for women in sport, and I 57 00:03:28,400 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 2: guess for all elements of sport in terms of children 58 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:33,120 Speaker 2: with disability and power sports. 59 00:03:33,120 --> 00:03:36,080 Speaker 3: So it's really privileged to be talking to you today. 60 00:03:36,560 --> 00:03:37,360 Speaker 1: Oh thank you. 61 00:03:38,120 --> 00:03:42,040 Speaker 2: So in terms of my background is I guess it 62 00:03:42,080 --> 00:03:45,000 Speaker 2: was growing up as keep very active passionate about sport, 63 00:03:45,760 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 2: studied at UNI, and then I had a wonderful sports 64 00:03:49,880 --> 00:03:54,000 Speaker 2: marketing career and work for organizations like the NRAL, Melbourne Storm, 65 00:03:54,720 --> 00:03:58,840 Speaker 2: the NT Government Sport and DIREC Department, and then by 66 00:03:58,920 --> 00:04:00,320 Speaker 2: way of circumstances is. 67 00:04:00,320 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 3: I was warm with hearing loss and. 68 00:04:02,760 --> 00:04:05,720 Speaker 2: In my early twenties my eyesight was deteriorating and it 69 00:04:05,800 --> 00:04:08,640 Speaker 2: was confirmed I had a conduct condition called ashes syndrome. 70 00:04:09,280 --> 00:04:12,280 Speaker 2: It's a deadline condition and gradually I'm losing my eyesight 71 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,560 Speaker 2: and my hearing. So i rare hearing aids and I've 72 00:04:15,600 --> 00:04:18,159 Speaker 2: got a tunnel vision so like looking through your camera. 73 00:04:19,600 --> 00:04:22,000 Speaker 2: So on, I went with that knowledge, and I guess 74 00:04:22,040 --> 00:04:24,960 Speaker 2: for me, you know, I've always had the view that. 75 00:04:26,680 --> 00:04:27,520 Speaker 3: I've had such. 76 00:04:27,400 --> 00:04:33,640 Speaker 2: A privileged life, wonderful education, and life is precious and 77 00:04:33,720 --> 00:04:36,400 Speaker 2: it's really making the most of your gifts and what you. 78 00:04:36,400 --> 00:04:40,800 Speaker 3: Have so I always did Iman's. 79 00:04:40,279 --> 00:04:44,480 Speaker 2: Half marathons, always looked for that weekend warrior type challenge. 80 00:04:44,800 --> 00:04:48,440 Speaker 3: And when I was thirty nine, at. 81 00:04:48,320 --> 00:04:51,560 Speaker 2: The right age of thirty nine, my optimologist confirmed I 82 00:04:51,680 --> 00:04:55,360 Speaker 2: was now legally blind, so less thantendarae vision, so just 83 00:04:55,360 --> 00:04:56,800 Speaker 2: getting very tunnel. 84 00:04:57,279 --> 00:04:59,600 Speaker 3: And so I thought, well, how can I stay involved 85 00:04:59,600 --> 00:05:00,960 Speaker 3: in try alone. 86 00:05:00,720 --> 00:05:03,200 Speaker 2: A sport I love, and keep doing it as a 87 00:05:03,600 --> 00:05:08,280 Speaker 2: visiit impaired athlete, and so fast forward tryfron Austray said, 88 00:05:08,320 --> 00:05:11,599 Speaker 2: Katie were looking for bi athletes for Rio, the sport 89 00:05:12,279 --> 00:05:16,400 Speaker 2: doing at the Rio Paralympics, and you like to be involved. 90 00:05:17,200 --> 00:05:19,480 Speaker 3: So I guess I did things that the other end 91 00:05:19,480 --> 00:05:20,120 Speaker 3: of the spectrum. 92 00:05:20,160 --> 00:05:24,600 Speaker 2: Most athletes come through their teenage years early twenties, and 93 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:28,839 Speaker 2: for me it was like, wow, that's amazing, and it 94 00:05:28,960 --> 00:05:32,599 Speaker 2: was just such an incredible opportunity. So it went from 95 00:05:32,600 --> 00:05:37,680 Speaker 2: that conversation January twenty fifteen, eighteen months later, there I 96 00:05:37,720 --> 00:05:40,320 Speaker 2: was on the podium with number one done, my feet, 97 00:05:40,480 --> 00:05:43,919 Speaker 2: a gold medal around my next standing beside Mickey Jones, 98 00:05:44,320 --> 00:05:46,480 Speaker 2: an Olympian herself, my guide. 99 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,080 Speaker 3: We won the gold medal at Rio and it was, 100 00:05:50,920 --> 00:05:52,919 Speaker 3: you know, one of the best days of my life 101 00:05:52,920 --> 00:05:54,360 Speaker 3: with my friends and family there. 102 00:05:54,480 --> 00:05:57,359 Speaker 2: So that in a nutshell is how I came to 103 00:05:57,440 --> 00:05:59,280 Speaker 2: be a paralympian in Reto. 104 00:06:00,080 --> 00:06:04,000 Speaker 1: That's incredible. That's a very cool story. I'd love to 105 00:06:04,040 --> 00:06:07,719 Speaker 1: hear from. I guess that gold medal experience, what did 106 00:06:08,800 --> 00:06:11,800 Speaker 1: what did that next process look like coming home? Did 107 00:06:11,800 --> 00:06:14,480 Speaker 1: you have to get back into work? Did you have sponsors? 108 00:06:14,520 --> 00:06:17,799 Speaker 1: Did you receive any financial award after winning that gold medal? 109 00:06:18,120 --> 00:06:21,240 Speaker 2: So, I guess I was lucky in that Unlike a 110 00:06:21,240 --> 00:06:24,279 Speaker 2: lot of our younger athletes, Paralympic atholic, I had life 111 00:06:24,360 --> 00:06:28,360 Speaker 2: experience in knowing, you know, a sports marketing background, so 112 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:34,000 Speaker 2: I was able to secure some sponsors Peaker, Strata Management 113 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:38,080 Speaker 2: Company and Harvey Norman and being amazing that was it 114 00:06:38,279 --> 00:06:41,760 Speaker 2: kept me going as well as I was working part time, 115 00:06:43,520 --> 00:06:47,360 Speaker 2: I was working full time and then part time. The 116 00:06:47,440 --> 00:06:51,800 Speaker 2: RIO success gave me an opportunity to advocate and to 117 00:06:51,880 --> 00:06:56,000 Speaker 2: do more in areas of a lifelong passionate about, and 118 00:06:56,040 --> 00:06:59,800 Speaker 2: that is obviously around equality and the role of sports 119 00:07:00,120 --> 00:07:04,640 Speaker 2: to bring communities together and the wrong every individual to 120 00:07:04,760 --> 00:07:07,600 Speaker 2: have access to sport, and we know first nations people 121 00:07:08,040 --> 00:07:12,480 Speaker 2: don't have the same access as you know, priviallyge Australians 122 00:07:13,320 --> 00:07:16,239 Speaker 2: and we know kids with disability don't have the same access. 123 00:07:16,280 --> 00:07:20,960 Speaker 2: So I set up Sports Access Foundation and I have 124 00:07:21,040 --> 00:07:24,360 Speaker 2: Blue Scope get involved and we provide grants for young 125 00:07:24,400 --> 00:07:27,160 Speaker 2: osies we disreeally play for and that's been a pro 126 00:07:27,240 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 2: bono charity involvement. And so along the way, I've certainly 127 00:07:33,360 --> 00:07:37,160 Speaker 2: had to, you know, thankfully some good sponsors. But I've 128 00:07:37,160 --> 00:07:40,560 Speaker 2: also done a lot of fundraising to help with the 129 00:07:40,600 --> 00:07:41,640 Speaker 2: additional costs of. 130 00:07:41,640 --> 00:07:47,560 Speaker 1: Paratriathlone Okay and then leading into Tokyo. How much did 131 00:07:47,600 --> 00:07:50,800 Speaker 1: you have to do to I guess cover the costs 132 00:07:50,840 --> 00:07:54,360 Speaker 1: of your training and travel and all of those other expenses. 133 00:07:54,800 --> 00:07:55,560 Speaker 3: Yeah, quite a bit. 134 00:07:55,800 --> 00:07:59,240 Speaker 2: Because as much as the national Sporting Organization's mind being, 135 00:07:59,280 --> 00:08:04,520 Speaker 2: triaf On Austra tremendous in providing support. Roughly Paralympic Australia 136 00:08:04,600 --> 00:08:09,040 Speaker 2: have several programs providing support for developing athletes with equipment. 137 00:08:09,720 --> 00:08:11,360 Speaker 3: I had to get a new tandem bike. 138 00:08:12,000 --> 00:08:15,200 Speaker 2: I had a different guide and tandem bytes can be 139 00:08:15,240 --> 00:08:16,480 Speaker 2: adjusted according. 140 00:08:16,120 --> 00:08:17,440 Speaker 3: To guide's height, et cetera. 141 00:08:18,880 --> 00:08:22,400 Speaker 2: So I fundraised for my Rio Tendom bike and it 142 00:08:22,440 --> 00:08:26,000 Speaker 2: was incredible support. Thirty thousand dollars I did the same 143 00:08:26,080 --> 00:08:31,200 Speaker 2: set of campaign for Tokyo and fundraise it was around 144 00:08:31,400 --> 00:08:32,959 Speaker 2: again thirty thousand dollars. 145 00:08:33,440 --> 00:08:35,319 Speaker 3: I really tried hard to reach out to a. 146 00:08:35,280 --> 00:08:39,200 Speaker 2: New pioll of people and I also needed to support 147 00:08:39,640 --> 00:08:44,080 Speaker 2: It's the ongoing costs is the additional physio sort of 148 00:08:44,120 --> 00:08:47,680 Speaker 2: remedial treatment that the tandem byte maintenance. For me, I 149 00:08:47,720 --> 00:08:50,560 Speaker 2: don't have a car, even get the tendem to a 150 00:08:50,600 --> 00:08:52,920 Speaker 2: bike shop is a sixty dollars trip and that might 151 00:08:52,960 --> 00:08:57,000 Speaker 2: be once a month plus the maintenance of it. Plus 152 00:08:57,080 --> 00:09:01,520 Speaker 2: I spend about easily three hundred dollars a week taxis 153 00:09:01,520 --> 00:09:04,640 Speaker 2: and OBErs. And I have a and I like to 154 00:09:04,679 --> 00:09:08,000 Speaker 2: be independent. And again I do get support from say 155 00:09:08,120 --> 00:09:12,480 Speaker 2: the NDIS etc. But para our athletes, I would say 156 00:09:12,600 --> 00:09:17,520 Speaker 2: have potentially additional costs because of our mobility and accessibility 157 00:09:17,600 --> 00:09:22,160 Speaker 2: challenges and do need extra support and extra funding to 158 00:09:22,280 --> 00:09:25,680 Speaker 2: be able to compete and train as a full time 159 00:09:25,720 --> 00:09:26,760 Speaker 2: professional athlete. 160 00:09:26,920 --> 00:09:29,880 Speaker 1: So when we talk about Paralympic Australia and a really 161 00:09:29,920 --> 00:09:33,160 Speaker 1: important part of this messaging is I think what an 162 00:09:33,200 --> 00:09:36,040 Speaker 1: incredible job they do it at providing opportunities and like 163 00:09:36,080 --> 00:09:38,480 Speaker 1: you were talking about the equipment grants and things like that, 164 00:09:38,520 --> 00:09:41,880 Speaker 1: and even just watching the Paralympics has been such an 165 00:09:41,880 --> 00:09:46,680 Speaker 1: amazing experience. There's so many incredible athletes who have just yeah, yeah, 166 00:09:46,760 --> 00:09:48,880 Speaker 1: just blown me away by the way that everyone's performed 167 00:09:48,880 --> 00:09:51,679 Speaker 1: on the world stage and have had some really beautiful, 168 00:09:52,320 --> 00:09:55,160 Speaker 1: emotional and candid interviews past some of the events. I 169 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,120 Speaker 1: don't know how many of those you've got to catch, 170 00:09:57,160 --> 00:10:01,200 Speaker 1: but I've really enjoyed that piece of it as well. 171 00:10:01,280 --> 00:10:04,920 Speaker 1: I just want to, I guess, address this what's been 172 00:10:04,960 --> 00:10:06,360 Speaker 1: around a lot in the media and what we're trying 173 00:10:06,360 --> 00:10:09,439 Speaker 1: to do with our go fundme campaign around the metal 174 00:10:09,480 --> 00:10:12,960 Speaker 1: bonuses in particular, and this is purely talking about the 175 00:10:12,960 --> 00:10:16,200 Speaker 1: twenty thousand and fifteen ten thousand for the gold, silver 176 00:10:16,240 --> 00:10:20,120 Speaker 1: bronze for the Olympians versus Paralympians not receiving a specific 177 00:10:20,760 --> 00:10:24,920 Speaker 1: metal bonus. So some sports may receive some metal bonuses 178 00:10:24,960 --> 00:10:29,120 Speaker 1: from their sporting organizations and potentially from their sponsors as well, 179 00:10:29,640 --> 00:10:32,600 Speaker 1: but across the board there's sports that may not have 180 00:10:32,679 --> 00:10:34,920 Speaker 1: the funding and things like that where athletes who won 181 00:10:35,000 --> 00:10:39,479 Speaker 1: a medal in Tokyo haven't been financially rewarded for that success. 182 00:10:40,440 --> 00:10:43,280 Speaker 2: Yes, and it's a great conversation to had and I 183 00:10:43,280 --> 00:10:46,320 Speaker 2: think it's just you know, the Austraian public have been 184 00:10:46,360 --> 00:10:52,360 Speaker 2: indeed and admire the strength Brazilians and the athleticism of parasport, 185 00:10:52,640 --> 00:10:53,240 Speaker 2: and they can. 186 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:55,480 Speaker 3: See it's up there will with the Olympic program. 187 00:10:55,720 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 2: And I know that Olympic athletes see the same too 188 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: because I train with the likes of Matt Hauser and 189 00:11:01,600 --> 00:11:04,640 Speaker 2: Jazz hegel On who were Olympi entire athletes, and they 190 00:11:04,720 --> 00:11:06,920 Speaker 2: know and recognize the work that I put in. 191 00:11:07,080 --> 00:11:07,720 Speaker 3: So I think. 192 00:11:07,600 --> 00:11:11,600 Speaker 2: Everybody wants to see that equal distribution and it is happening. 193 00:11:12,160 --> 00:11:15,920 Speaker 2: I commend the Australian Institute sort Sport Australia with the 194 00:11:16,000 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 2: Dice Athlete Scholarship program, the podium program, so we know 195 00:11:20,800 --> 00:11:24,480 Speaker 2: that we all get equal distribution of that, which is excellent. 196 00:11:25,720 --> 00:11:28,920 Speaker 2: Some of the state academies that I'm part of a QAS 197 00:11:28,960 --> 00:11:34,080 Speaker 2: program and they've given athletes I guess a payment for 198 00:11:34,280 --> 00:11:39,000 Speaker 2: making the Olympic or Paralympic team equally Paralytic. Australia have 199 00:11:39,400 --> 00:11:43,559 Speaker 2: fantastic sponsors behind them who have invested huge amounts and 200 00:11:44,360 --> 00:11:49,920 Speaker 2: we know some of those sponsors and so there's been 201 00:11:50,080 --> 00:11:53,600 Speaker 2: tremendous work done by corporate Australia by Paralympic Australia, the 202 00:11:53,720 --> 00:11:56,800 Speaker 2: NSOs etc. But we are at the point where there's 203 00:11:56,840 --> 00:12:00,560 Speaker 2: still elements of the program that aren't equal in that 204 00:12:01,120 --> 00:12:04,760 Speaker 2: distribution of funds, and in terms of the metal reward program, 205 00:12:04,800 --> 00:12:07,360 Speaker 2: I have to say the funding that the Olympics get, 206 00:12:07,400 --> 00:12:10,360 Speaker 2: whether that's from the AOC, I'm not sure exactly how 207 00:12:10,440 --> 00:12:13,800 Speaker 2: that works, but I know that parrelel Lustra would certainly 208 00:12:13,880 --> 00:12:17,040 Speaker 2: be working very hard to ensure that we could get 209 00:12:17,080 --> 00:12:22,280 Speaker 2: the same recognition for metal winning performances. And I think 210 00:12:22,320 --> 00:12:26,080 Speaker 2: that that it's great to have this conversations on the agenda. 211 00:12:26,240 --> 00:12:30,800 Speaker 2: It will happen. And likewise, what we're seeing fantastic coverage 212 00:12:30,800 --> 00:12:35,600 Speaker 2: by Channel seven sosibility as you know women's sport. People 213 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:37,920 Speaker 2: start to see it and they go, what a great 214 00:12:38,200 --> 00:12:41,640 Speaker 2: game booty of women's sport or cricket I just watched. 215 00:12:43,200 --> 00:12:46,480 Speaker 2: So now that we're getting visibility, Corporate Australia and the 216 00:12:46,480 --> 00:12:50,160 Speaker 2: broadcast can see what a fantastic product it is, the 217 00:12:50,160 --> 00:12:52,680 Speaker 2: more they invest, the more they will get their return 218 00:12:52,760 --> 00:12:57,520 Speaker 2: as well. So and I think the third point is 219 00:12:57,559 --> 00:13:01,720 Speaker 2: around prize money across NSO. Dylan Orcotts done a fantastic 220 00:13:01,800 --> 00:13:05,600 Speaker 2: job with tennis. When he questioned it, I think it 221 00:13:05,640 --> 00:13:09,440 Speaker 2: was the US Open and now they have recognized the 222 00:13:10,200 --> 00:13:14,160 Speaker 2: power tennis program. You know, in triathlon, I've lobbied with 223 00:13:14,200 --> 00:13:17,840 Speaker 2: our president marosol Casado, who's very passionate about winners, thought 224 00:13:18,400 --> 00:13:21,760 Speaker 2: we need to see some prize money for parer triathletes. 225 00:13:22,200 --> 00:13:24,880 Speaker 2: We know that able boards get around a million dollars 226 00:13:24,920 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 2: allocated to the prize money next year. Zero from what 227 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:33,560 Speaker 2: I've seen, has been all power triathletes. So I think 228 00:13:33,640 --> 00:13:37,160 Speaker 2: that's the next part of the conversations with NSOs. If 229 00:13:37,200 --> 00:13:39,720 Speaker 2: there is prize money for the able body program, what's 230 00:13:39,760 --> 00:13:41,240 Speaker 2: happening in the power programs? 231 00:13:41,559 --> 00:13:45,440 Speaker 1: Yes? Absolutely, and so moving forward like what we've done 232 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:48,040 Speaker 1: with this fundraiser is obviously a very short term solution, 233 00:13:48,320 --> 00:13:50,959 Speaker 1: and you're talking about the importance of I guess more 234 00:13:50,960 --> 00:13:53,160 Speaker 1: of Corporate Australia getting on board and the role of 235 00:13:53,160 --> 00:13:56,679 Speaker 1: that visibility. What do you think I guess the next 236 00:13:56,720 --> 00:14:00,760 Speaker 1: steps are and can you see any practice actions that 237 00:14:00,960 --> 00:14:04,080 Speaker 1: maybe people watching on TV who would like to support 238 00:14:04,240 --> 00:14:07,520 Speaker 1: moving forward would be to create change within that space. 239 00:14:08,200 --> 00:14:12,480 Speaker 2: I think, for example, is supporting the product when it's 240 00:14:12,559 --> 00:14:15,640 Speaker 2: on TV and thanks to all Australians for getting behind 241 00:14:15,640 --> 00:14:19,280 Speaker 2: the Paralympics, and I think the engagement. By talking to 242 00:14:19,320 --> 00:14:22,320 Speaker 2: Tim Manyon from Paralympic Australia, he said, it's gone through 243 00:14:22,320 --> 00:14:26,400 Speaker 2: the roof. Channel seven ratings has been highest across some 244 00:14:26,520 --> 00:14:32,600 Speaker 2: of the other channels, so Australians supporting that through the 245 00:14:32,640 --> 00:14:37,800 Speaker 2: consumption of the media and socials, et cetera. The wheelchair 246 00:14:37,880 --> 00:14:41,920 Speaker 2: rugby was recently held on the Gold Coast and it 247 00:14:42,040 --> 00:14:46,680 Speaker 2: was the National Wheelchair Rugby Competition and Ko Spores and 248 00:14:46,760 --> 00:14:49,160 Speaker 2: Fox Sports came on board and I was just so 249 00:14:49,200 --> 00:14:52,960 Speaker 2: excited we could watch the games. And I know a 250 00:14:52,960 --> 00:14:56,360 Speaker 2: lot of Australian's got behind the virtual Paralympic. 251 00:14:55,840 --> 00:14:57,560 Speaker 3: Seat programs which went really well. 252 00:14:58,160 --> 00:15:03,240 Speaker 2: All that funding usion to help and people like yourself, 253 00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:06,520 Speaker 2: what you're doing is just incredible and it's putting it 254 00:15:06,560 --> 00:15:07,240 Speaker 2: on the agenda. 255 00:15:07,400 --> 00:15:09,040 Speaker 3: The journalists and media pick. 256 00:15:08,920 --> 00:15:11,240 Speaker 2: Up on it and it becomes a talking point and 257 00:15:11,360 --> 00:15:15,600 Speaker 2: slowly we start to influence policy makers and corporate Australia 258 00:15:16,000 --> 00:15:19,520 Speaker 2: to invest and make a difference and ensure that there 259 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:21,600 Speaker 2: is an equal playing field here. Yeah. 260 00:15:21,720 --> 00:15:24,240 Speaker 1: Really well said, and I love that idea because, like 261 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:26,840 Speaker 1: you talked about before, there are a couple of similarities 262 00:15:26,840 --> 00:15:30,200 Speaker 1: that exist behind I guess the equality that we're pushing 263 00:15:30,200 --> 00:15:32,800 Speaker 1: for in women's sport as well, and it's that same idea. 264 00:15:32,880 --> 00:15:35,760 Speaker 1: It's really practical when it's on TV. If you want 265 00:15:35,760 --> 00:15:37,760 Speaker 1: to support it, put it on TV and watch it 266 00:15:37,880 --> 00:15:41,200 Speaker 1: so that the viewership numbers increase and then that's reflected 267 00:15:41,200 --> 00:15:43,720 Speaker 1: in the data when it's presented to sponsors and corporates 268 00:15:43,720 --> 00:15:45,080 Speaker 1: who can come on board. So I think that's a 269 00:15:45,080 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 1: really great, great way for people to support the movement. 270 00:15:49,720 --> 00:15:53,240 Speaker 2: Sure, And I think on another level, it's what everyone's 271 00:15:53,280 --> 00:15:55,840 Speaker 2: doing at grass roots. I know through Sport Access it's 272 00:15:55,840 --> 00:16:00,760 Speaker 2: started unreal we see all these inclusive sports programs Australia 273 00:16:00,840 --> 00:16:05,640 Speaker 2: and I know grassroots volunteers want to see young austrange 274 00:16:05,720 --> 00:16:11,800 Speaker 2: disability getting involved in sport. So it's also about then 275 00:16:11,880 --> 00:16:14,160 Speaker 2: what are we doing at this level to provide support 276 00:16:14,280 --> 00:16:18,600 Speaker 2: for equipment the kids that need carers and just assisters 277 00:16:18,800 --> 00:16:20,360 Speaker 2: are talking to James and Leeson. 278 00:16:20,760 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 3: She's a box cher's I think she's on tonight. 279 00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,160 Speaker 2: Potential medalists and she lives in Dunne Doo Tree, Anda 280 00:16:27,200 --> 00:16:30,040 Speaker 2: klometers west of Sydney. She's in a motorized chairs so 281 00:16:30,040 --> 00:16:33,920 Speaker 2: you can imagine her opportunities to participate limited and her 282 00:16:34,000 --> 00:16:35,680 Speaker 2: choices are limited, and. 283 00:16:35,600 --> 00:16:37,920 Speaker 3: She needs a handler to help her compete. 284 00:16:38,240 --> 00:16:41,200 Speaker 2: So we were talking about how we could I could 285 00:16:41,240 --> 00:16:42,760 Speaker 2: help her get a handler that. 286 00:16:42,760 --> 00:16:45,480 Speaker 3: Because the mum does it at the moment. It's little 287 00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:49,000 Speaker 3: things like that, and I think it's just awareness. Is 288 00:16:49,800 --> 00:16:51,000 Speaker 3: the local sporting. 289 00:16:50,680 --> 00:16:52,720 Speaker 2: Clubs doing what they can if they have kids and 290 00:16:52,800 --> 00:16:56,080 Speaker 2: teenagers in their community with disability and all that leads 291 00:16:56,120 --> 00:17:00,440 Speaker 2: to more kids coming through, more participation, more support, and 292 00:17:00,480 --> 00:17:02,640 Speaker 2: in the longer run, more recognition at. 293 00:17:02,600 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 3: The highest level. 294 00:17:03,720 --> 00:17:03,960 Speaker 4: Yeah. 295 00:17:04,000 --> 00:17:07,680 Speaker 1: Absolutely, So sometimes I get frustrated, Katie, because I don't 296 00:17:07,680 --> 00:17:10,359 Speaker 1: think we should still be asking that question. But why 297 00:17:10,760 --> 00:17:12,359 Speaker 1: is equality so important? 298 00:17:13,000 --> 00:17:16,840 Speaker 2: Equality is so important because it's a human right and 299 00:17:16,920 --> 00:17:20,400 Speaker 2: there is nothing about the human race that says one 300 00:17:21,200 --> 00:17:23,600 Speaker 2: particular type of the race deserves more than the other. 301 00:17:24,560 --> 00:17:28,440 Speaker 3: We're all the same and equal and humanity unites us. 302 00:17:29,320 --> 00:17:36,679 Speaker 3: Differences unite us. Different abilities is what makes sports so 303 00:17:36,880 --> 00:17:43,360 Speaker 3: fascinating to watch and empowers us. And we see paralympians 304 00:17:43,440 --> 00:17:47,720 Speaker 3: just doing things differently but showing us there's always a way, 305 00:17:47,800 --> 00:17:51,680 Speaker 3: regardless of what your challenges are. But we're standing that 306 00:17:52,960 --> 00:17:54,800 Speaker 3: paralympians are athletes, they. 307 00:17:54,680 --> 00:17:59,280 Speaker 2: Train full time, they've committed, they often and I do. 308 00:17:59,359 --> 00:18:03,760 Speaker 2: I train with Olympian athletes. It's a full time job. 309 00:18:04,040 --> 00:18:07,840 Speaker 2: I've had to relinquish my full time work to focus 310 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:12,480 Speaker 2: on being a two time Paralympic. And the more visibility 311 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:15,280 Speaker 2: we give it, the more equal recognition we give it, 312 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,880 Speaker 2: you will get an outstanding product. And we're seeing that 313 00:18:19,359 --> 00:18:22,320 Speaker 2: and we know that the Channel seven coverage has been outstanding. 314 00:18:22,720 --> 00:18:26,000 Speaker 2: We know that Paralympic Australia invests huge amounts of money 315 00:18:26,040 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 2: to send our team and that Corporate Australia are getting 316 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:32,520 Speaker 2: behind us. But there's still a long way to go 317 00:18:32,760 --> 00:18:37,000 Speaker 2: to ensure as absolutely equal in recognition for performances and 318 00:18:37,160 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 2: also with prize money for individual sports and a national 319 00:18:41,359 --> 00:18:46,600 Speaker 2: sporting organization to ensure that if there's prize money available 320 00:18:46,600 --> 00:18:51,800 Speaker 2: for your able board program, is what is being done 321 00:18:52,119 --> 00:18:55,480 Speaker 2: for prize money for your power athlete on the same level. 322 00:18:55,920 --> 00:18:58,439 Speaker 2: And that's something else that we really need to start 323 00:18:58,480 --> 00:18:59,080 Speaker 2: working on. 324 00:19:00,040 --> 00:19:04,280 Speaker 3: And I commend Sport Australia and Australian Institute of Sport. 325 00:19:04,640 --> 00:19:08,880 Speaker 2: They provide equal distribution of grants for the podium athlete, 326 00:19:09,000 --> 00:19:12,600 Speaker 2: which is fantastic and now we need that leadership to 327 00:19:12,800 --> 00:19:15,040 Speaker 2: ask our sports what are they doing in terms of 328 00:19:15,119 --> 00:19:18,399 Speaker 2: recognition and prize money at the highest level to ensure 329 00:19:18,440 --> 00:19:20,879 Speaker 2: that we do achieve equal status. 330 00:19:21,200 --> 00:19:21,400 Speaker 3: Yeah. 331 00:19:21,440 --> 00:19:25,919 Speaker 1: Absolutely, so incredibly well said, and I'm really looking forward 332 00:19:25,920 --> 00:19:28,399 Speaker 1: to hopefully continuing to work with you in this space 333 00:19:28,440 --> 00:19:32,560 Speaker 1: and continuing to I guess, raise awareness for the incredible 334 00:19:32,560 --> 00:19:35,800 Speaker 1: work that you do within your foundation, but also continuing 335 00:19:35,840 --> 00:19:39,359 Speaker 1: to work towards equality for para athletes. I think that 336 00:19:39,400 --> 00:19:42,040 Speaker 1: you're an amazing athlete and an amazing advocate and I've 337 00:19:42,119 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 1: loved the chance to get to know you and to 338 00:19:44,400 --> 00:19:46,159 Speaker 1: have the chance to sit down with you today and 339 00:19:46,200 --> 00:19:47,760 Speaker 1: have a chat through all of this. So thanks so 340 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:48,680 Speaker 1: much for your time. 341 00:19:49,320 --> 00:19:51,800 Speaker 2: Thank Chloe, and thank you to everyone you want the 342 00:19:51,840 --> 00:19:56,600 Speaker 2: support of a parallelic Australia athletes and also the great 343 00:19:56,600 --> 00:20:01,240 Speaker 2: work Chloe, that you're all doing in raising funds who 344 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,480 Speaker 2: recognizing our our standing. 345 00:20:03,359 --> 00:20:06,240 Speaker 3: Gold medalist and medalist performers here at Paralympics. 346 00:20:06,520 --> 00:20:09,760 Speaker 1: Thank you so much. Only a couple of hours after 347 00:20:09,760 --> 00:20:14,680 Speaker 1: finishing this interview with Katie, speaking before the House of Representatives, 348 00:20:14,720 --> 00:20:18,920 Speaker 1: the Prime Minister Scott Morrison shared stories of our incredible Paralympians. 349 00:20:19,640 --> 00:20:22,120 Speaker 1: He then went on to this historic announcement. 350 00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:27,679 Speaker 4: We have won sixty medals so far, and recognizing the 351 00:20:27,800 --> 00:20:31,680 Speaker 4: national significance of the Paralympic team, I'm very pleased to 352 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:35,680 Speaker 4: announce the government will provide additional support to Paralympics Australia 353 00:20:35,760 --> 00:20:39,800 Speaker 4: to ensure our Paralympic medalists will receive equivalent payments to 354 00:20:39,880 --> 00:20:41,600 Speaker 4: our Olympic medalists, mister. 355 00:20:41,400 --> 00:20:47,680 Speaker 1: Speaker, Absolutely huge news for all of the Paralympians over 356 00:20:47,720 --> 00:20:50,000 Speaker 1: in Tokyo and all of the Paralympians who have come 357 00:20:50,040 --> 00:20:54,760 Speaker 1: before them and fought for equality. A really special day. 358 00:20:56,200 --> 00:20:59,399 Speaker 1: Thanks so much for listening to this bonus episode of 359 00:20:59,440 --> 00:21:02,760 Speaker 1: The Female Athlete Project. Thanks so much to every single 360 00:21:02,760 --> 00:21:06,440 Speaker 1: person who shared our message, donated, bought a T shirt. 361 00:21:06,840 --> 00:21:09,600 Speaker 1: Thanks to the journalists who covered this story and continued 362 00:21:09,600 --> 00:21:12,199 Speaker 1: to spread the word. It's really cool to be a 363 00:21:12,200 --> 00:21:15,560 Speaker 1: part of something so huge where these incredible athletes are 364 00:21:15,560 --> 00:21:19,640 Speaker 1: getting recognized and rewarded for their amazing hard work. See 365 00:21:19,680 --> 00:21:23,399 Speaker 1: you on Tuesday for next week's episode of The RAP 366 00:21:23,720 --> 00:21:26,160 Speaker 1: your weekly episodes covering women's sports news.