Dylan Alcott named Australian of the Year: Sports world reacts

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The sports world was absolutely ecstatic on Tuesday night when it was announced Dylan Alcott had been named Australian of the Year.

Praise and tributes have flooded in for Dylan Alcott after the wheelchair tennis champion was named Australian of the Year on Tuesday night.

The three-time Paralympic gold medallist is the first person with a disability to win the award in its 62-year history and he spoke at a ceremony in Canberra about how sport saved his life after he was born with a tumour wrapped around his spinal cord.

“I love my disability,” he said. “It is the best thing that ever happened to me. It really is.

“I love the person that I am and the life I get to live and I’m the luckiest guy in this country, easily.

“I’ve known nothing but having a disability. And if I’m honest, I cannot tell you how much I used to hate myself.

“I hated being different and I didn’t want to be here anymore. Whenever I turned on the TV, I never saw anybody like me. And whenever I did it was a road safety ad where someone drink drives, has a car accident, and the next scene is someone like me in tears because their life was over.”

Alcott has won 23 grand slam titles across singles and doubles and in 2017 founded the Dylan Alcott Foundation to provide scholarships and grant funding to marginalised Australians with a disability. He also founded AbilityFest, the nation’s first and only fully accessible music festival.

Frustrated by the lack of media representation, Alcott now holds several high-profile media roles spanning TV, radio and podcasting.

“I am so thankful for the life I get to live,” he said.

Australians were thrilled to find out Alcott had been named Australian of the Year.

Wheelchair racing legend Kurt Fearnley tweeted: “BLOODY BRILLIANT! We’ve had some remarkable Paralympian’s over the last 60 years. Uncle Kevin Coombs, Libby Kosmala, Sandy Blythe, Louise Sauvage and many more! Many deserving but tonight is the night we get one of our mob as #ausoftheyear! Nice job @DylanAlcott !! Big year ahead!”

Sports broadcaster Neroli Meadows called Alcott a “superstar” while basketball icon Andrew Gaze said: “Man who inspires and shows us all that anything is possible! Well deserved Australian of the year. You make us proud great man.”

Aussie boxer George Kambosos added: “Legend deserves it. Congrats @DylanAlcott you’re a fighter mate and doing Australia proud.”

Comedian and radio host Anthony “Lehmo” Lehmann tweeted: “Absolute legend! Brilliant choice and so well deserved! Couldn’t be happier for @DylanAlcott.”

Sportscaster Quentin Hull said: “It’s bloody nice to see an outward rascal, a softy at heart & a sporty bloke in a wheelchair win Australian of the year. Well done @DylanAlcott.

“Forget the Paralympic medals & the tennis trophies mate – this shows you’ve made a positive difference.”

Sports writer Daniel Cherny tweeted: “Can only imagine what Dylan Alcott’s gong must mean for people with a disability, one of the most marginalised groups in our society. An inspired choice.”

Alcott used his acceptance speech to call for more support for others like him through the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“We’ve got to keep improving, more employment opportunities for people with a disability as well,” he said.

“As we start opening up from this pandemic, we’ve got to start thinking about and prioritising people with disabilities.”

National Australia Day Council chair Danielle Roche paid credit to Alcott’s “sheer grit and determination”.

“Dylan Alcott is a champion who has risen to the top of the world rankings through sheer grit and determination. His Golden Slam is an incredible feat, the first for any male tennis player,” she said.

“Dylan is an inspirational Australian on and off the tennis court. Through the Dylan Alcott Foundation, he is giving young Australians facing disadvantage the promise of a better future.”

With Courtney Gould, NCA NewsWire

Originally published as Sports world goes wild after Dylan Alcott named Australian of the Year



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