Wednesday, 5 March 2025

 Cindy McLEISH (Eildon) (09:43): Cameron Marshall is 22, and he is a great triathlete. His most recent success at the world qualifier event in Batemans Bay is particularly remarkable as Cameron competes with an intellectual impairment. Competing in the 20 to 24 age group, this was the first time an athlete with an intellectual impairment has ever crossed the line first overall in a mainstream Australian triathlon event. Every decision he makes is 16 per cent impaired compared to the average male of the same age. There are many decisions a triathlete has to make in competition, from racetrack tactics to setting the pace and changeover. Cameron is currently sitting on top of the Australian men’s 20 to 24 age points table for selection in the Australian team for the world triathlon championships in Wollongong later this year. Arguably he is the world’s leading intellectually impaired athlete in triathlon and cycling. However, there is no Olympic pathway for athletes with an intellectual impairment in triathlon and cycling. This needs to change and more sports need to get on board to promote inclusion of athletes with an intellectual impairment to be able to compete in the Paralympics. Currently athletics, swimming and table tennis are the only sports offering an Olympic pathway, which is hugely unfair to athletes like Cameron, and there are plenty of other athletes like that in Victoria. Cam’s proud parents Dayle and Ashley are not great triathletes, but they are great golfers and wonderful supporters of Cam and his endeavours, and they fund extensively his sport.