Matt got Australia to the Paralympics. But he might not get to go
For five years, Matt Brumby has competed in para-biathlon events around the world in a bid to realise his dream of representing Australia at next month’s Milano Cortina Winter Paralympic Games.
Brumby, a 48-year-old T6 complete paraplegic, has funded his own travel to Slovenia, Finland, Italy and Canada – and, last year, alongside teammate Taryn Dickens, finally guaranteed Australia its first spots in the event in 20 years.
Matt Brumby and his service dog, Willow, at the South Australian Sport Institute.Credit: Ben Searcy
But there’s a catch. Brumby and Dickens had only guaranteed a spot for one Australian man and one woman – not for themselves specifically. And since then, two other athletes – Dave Miln and Lauren Parker – have been recruited to the sport, meaning there are now four Australians vying for two spots. Based on recent performances, the newcomers are in pole position to win them.
Almost a decade after he narrowly missed a place on the para-triathlon team at the 2016 Rio Games, Brumby’s ambition may hinge on bureaucracy. Paralympics Australia has petitioned the International Paralympic Committee to secure more places for Australians to travel as bipartite athletes – reserved for those invited by the committee to ensure representation from countries with fewer athletes.
Until the teams are announced later this week, Brumby has had to train as if he’s on the plane to Milan, while knowing it could be for nothing.
“I didn’t get to go to [the Rio] Games, I’ve learnt a little bit from that. I’m training like I’m going, and I’m doing everything as though I’m a part of the team but mentally, I’m also preparing that I might get a phone call and it’ll be like, ‘Hey Matt, we didn’t get four spots, we’re only going to be able to take two athletes’,” he said.
Matt Brumby is attempting to qualify for the para-biathlon event which combines cross-country skiing and target shooting.Credit: Ben Searcy
Brumby’s journey began as a 16-year-old in Tasmania when he joined the navy and decided to become a clearance diver. While earning his diving certification, Brumby was running drills on Collaroy beach in Sydney’s northern suburbs and fainted. He didn’t know at the time, but a pocket of fluid had formed on his spine. A day later, while riding his motorbike, Brumby lost feeling in his lower body and crashed the bike.
“I didn’t know where I was going to go or what I was going to do,” he said. “That was part of the start of realising that you can’t let one thing define who you’re going to be forever. Things are going to change.”