Angie Ballard to Lead Australia's Para Squad at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games

Damien Peck reports.

The topic is Sport.

Australian Para athlete Angie Ballard will return to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow for a record fifth time.

In short, this is a historic moment.

Australia's 24-strong Para athletics squad includes 17 debutants and eight teenagers, with Lexie Brown being the youngest at 14.

Angie Ballard will compete at a record fifth Commonwealth Games, the most of any Para athlete in history.

What's next for the team?

The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games begin on July 23 and end on August 2.

Angie Ballard is a legendary Australian Para athlete who will lead the team to Glasgow in July.

Ballard says longevity in the sport is a privilege and she's returning to a place she knows well, having won gold at Glasgow in 2014.

Ballard said, 'Making a fifth Games is huge for my career, and it's always a good Games to look forward to.'

Ballard said, 'It's a special event and team because we're part of the able-bodied team as well.'

Ballard reflected on her longevity, saying, 'I've always considered myself resilient, so just being able to keep going is a cool thing.'

Angie Ballard will compete in the women's 400m and 1500m T54, aiming for another medal.

The seven-time Paralympian will face tough competition, but she's determined to succeed.

Ballard said, 'I love what I do, I love the training, and I love our community.'

Ballard said, 'It's taken a lot of things for me to go this long, including innovative career management.'

Ballard said, 'Injury management and load management are much better now than when I started.'

Ballard said, 'I have a lot more support now than when I first started, which helps me keep going.'

The squad has a diverse 30-year age gap.

The squad includes 17 Para athletes making their debut, and eight teenagers, with Lexie Brown being the youngest.

Ballard's compatriot, Ault-Connell, is the oldest in the squad at 44 years old.

Ballard hopes her experience will help the squad's teenagers, such as Lexie Brown.

Lexie Brown, 14, is making her debut at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Ballard said, 'There's a lot of new stuff to deal with at the Games, and it takes a lot of energy.'

Ballard said, 'You want to be part of it all, but it takes a lot of energy.'

Ballard was first selected for the Commonwealth Games at Melbourne 2006.

Ballard said, 'I know the process now, and I want to pass on my experience to the younger athletes.'

Ballard said, 'I want to help the younger athletes conserve their energy for the important moments.'

Ballard said, 'It's about picking the moments to be up and conserving energy for the rest.'

Australian Para athlete Jaydon Page will look to go one better after winning silver at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

There will be a record amount of para athletics events at the Games.

Para athletics events were first included in the Commonwealth Games in 1994.

This will be the first time the Commonwealth Games will have just 10 sports, with a record 16 para athletics events.

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Australian team chef de mission Petria Thomas described the squad as 'resilient, determined, and world-class.'

Thomas said, 'The integration of Para sport events into the Commonwealth Games program reflects how far we've come.'

Thomas said, 'Our Para Athletics team is ready to inspire audiences both at home and around the globe.'

Having already won a gold and two silver medals, Ballard has a chance for a medal sweep at Glasgow.

More to do for athletes who miss out on the Games.

Ballard said, 'It's really important to remember that the events chosen for Para athletes can change every time.'

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Ballard said, 'It's not the same for Para athletes, we don't have the same amount of events as the able-bods.'

Ballard said, 'Some of our Para team have never had an event, they've been ready and raring to go, but they can't go.'

Ballard said, 'You get to be part of that larger team, but it's also how people are seeing us, and that changes a lot of perceptions.'

Ballard said, 'We've still got a long way to go, I think it's really important for us in our journey.'

Back to the future for Ballard.

The scaled-back team will be aiming for a top-place finish once again.

Ballard said, 'History would be a big ask to repeat that gold medal from 2014, but you never know.'

Ballard said, 'Glasgow has really fond memories for me, I'm glad to be going back.'

Ballard said, 'I'll do my best on the day, and hopefully, it's a good one.'

The experience of going around again with a youthful squad keeps the fire in Ballard's belly.

Ballard said, 'I thought the last Comm Games was going to be my last Comm Games.'

Ballard said, 'I'm getting older, it's getting harder, and there are some fantastic racers coming through.'

Ballard said, 'Retirement is looming pretty soon, but I don't have a plan.'

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