Australian Paralympic swimmer Alexa Leary wanted a place that felt like home to complete her final training block before the Paris Games.
And that could only mean one place.
With a family brimful with Bondies, it was no surprise Leary returned to the Peter Beckwith Pool to put the finishing touches on a campaign that is expected to net her multiple medals in Paris.
The 22-year-old was the trailblazer for what has become a well-trodden path for the Leary clan.
She first moved from the Sunshine Coast to train with the Bond Elite swim squad back in her days as one of Australia’s leading young triathletes.
Brother Maxwell Leary followed her south to complete a Bachelor of Commerce at Bond. He graduated in 2023. This year her younger brother Jack joined the student cohort as a Bachelor of Property student.
Even though the family home is just down the road, Jack chose to live on campus. He’s made a habit of walking onto his balcony and waving to his sister while she’s training in the pool.
Alexa Leary’s story has inspired millions and will continue to do so after this year’s Paralympic Games.
A cycling accident in 2021 left her in hospital for over 100 days and set her the difficult challenge of relearning how to do all of life’s basics, like walking and talking.
Despite being discharged knowing that life would never be the same due to her traumatic brain injury, Alexa plotted a new path sporting excellence.
She found her way into competitive swimming when her neurologists prescribed laps of the pool for her rehab.
“The doctors said I had to try get back in the water to see if I could get the right side of my body to function again like my left,” Leary said.
“My mum and dad were watching me and were saying ‘oh my gosh she can actually still swim’.”
“And I just wanted to go further with it. I wanted it to be something more beyond rehab.”
“I’m now living my second life,” Leary said.
Feeling at home in the pool, Leary chose to focus on one discipline instead of the three she had been pursuing before her accident, a decision that has allowed her to reach new heights.
“My best leg of the triathlon was the swim, so this is all very fitting.”
The 22-year-old represented Australia at the 2023 Para World Swimming Championships, winning gold in the 100m freestyle and silver in the 50m freestyle.
Having just missed out on the world record in the 100m, she has vowed to chase it down at this year’s Paralympic Games.
Her coach Jon Bell said she has the qualities that every coach strives to find in their athletes.
“She has had to overcome so much but the grit and determination that lives within Lex is what you look for,” he said.
“She’s always looking for the next win and continuously trying to get better.
“She has to temper all this with the impairments she has, but her tenacity and internal drive is what coaches look for and I love coaching that.
“Any success she has overseas, she has earned every part of it.
“She had her eyes set on what she calls ‘something special’ but that’s basically her code for I’m going to do what I need to do to win.”
Looking forward to more than just the pool, Leary is excited by the gastronomical delights Paris is renowned for and the opportunity to meet new and inspiring friends.
“I’m so excited and it’s so inspiring to be around all the athletes who have been through a lot like me,” she said.
“And to see them in that water with everyone just go-go-going, doing things they have been told that they can’t do.
“I’m looking forward to meeting everyone, but boy am I looking forward to those crepes too.”
Alexa is confirmed in the 100m and 50 m freestyle along with the possibility of two relay team races.
“The 100m freestyle is my favourite by far, put your money on me for the 100m,” she said.