Source : ABC NEWS
Madison de Rozario is beaming, posing for photos and conducting interviews, in the shadows of the Sydney Harbour Bridge as she prepares for a massive moment in her career.
Originally from Perth, she is now a long-time Sydneysider, sharpening her skills as one of Australia’s greatest wheelchair racers on the roads around Olympic Park under the guidance of legendary coach Louise Sauvage.
But this weekend she is hoping to tame the 42-kilometre route from North Sydney to the Opera House and win her third Sydney Marathon, but first with its status as a World Major, granted last year.
“It’s quite bizarre doing a marathon through parts of Sydney that you’ve hung out in very different contexts,” she told ABC Sport.
“Like going down Oxford Street, I’m like, I’ve been here, but not doing this. So it’s quite a cool experience to do.
“And then on the other hand, it’s such a tricky course that I dread it. Of all the majors, it’s the hilliest. I find it the most difficult.
“I’m dying to race at home in Australia and Sydney, and then also I’m like ‘oh, but does it have to be just the hardest 42 kilometres that we have?'”
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Marathon mindset
While the picturesque course tests the toughest competitors, it is one de Rozario has conquered twice before, including most recently in 2024, days after returning from the Paris Paralympics.
“That was one of the most emotional roller coaster two weeks of my life,” she said.
De Rozario carried the Australian flag at the opening ceremony at the Paris Games before learning her father had died.
She then competed in the marathon and 5,000m, winning silver and bronze respectively.
“I think it was just the way to round out the Paris Paralympics, and then Sydney Marathon is one of the most incredible … most emotional races I’ve ever done in my life,” she said.
“And so I think that’ll always be so special to me, to come into the Opera House [at the finish line] and have that moment.”
The two-time Paralympic gold medallist en route to victory in the 2024 Sydney Marathon. (AAP: Steve Markham)
The 32-year-old made a late decision not to race the event last year, as it earned coveted Major status.
“To drop a race at home and to watch something that you feel like you’ve been a part of in creating was a hard watch,” she said.
“But I think there’s something really cool about seeing international women wheelchair racers racing in Australia at an event in a city that I live in, in a sport that I love so much.”
De Rozario has won three marathon majors, and marathon and 800m Paralympic gold medals at the Tokyo Paralympics.
After launching her international career on the track as a 14-year-old at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, she is now going all in on the longest distance.
The Perth product claimed silver in the marathon at the Paris 2024 Paralympics. (Getty Images: Marco Mantovani)
“I haven’t been on a track since Paris and to just focus on the marathon has been really amazing,” she said.
“And I think that makes these really technical marathons like Sydney so much more exciting because there isn’t that [thought in the] back of your head ‘we have to back up for the speed of the track’, and bring something else into it.
“This is it for the year. I have two more races, two really hilly marathons, and that gets to be our entire focus, and that’s been really nice.”
Legendary McFadden to take on Sydney
De Rozario is the local headline act this year, but arguably the best female wheelchair marathoner in history will line up alongside her.
The US’s Tatyana McFadden, 37, is a nine-time Paralympic champion, and has 24 World Marathon Major wins, the most of any woman.
Tatyana McFadden is a legend of wheelchair track and road racing. (Getty Images: Alex Davidson)
“It was just on my list to do it and to go back and to really try to tackle this course,” she said.
“I heard it was really challenging, and I like challenging things.”
McFadden has competed in six Summer Paralympics and one Winter Games, and has dominated on the track and the road across an impressive career.
“I think it’s just constantly growing and constantly learning. I feel like if you’re not learning or growing you just can’t get to that next level,” she said.
McFadden was diagnosed with a severe blood clotting disorder in 2017, which threatened to end her career.
It was a 20-month road to recovery, but it made her more appreciative of maintaining such a high level of performance over decades.
“I know in my heart this is the path I still want to go on, and I know that I can do it. And I just need to find those people to come along with me,” she said.
“So I’ve been really lucky and blessed with that. And it’s been such a great year this year already, with third in Boston, second in London, and two world records on the track.”
McFadden was also eyeing off a home Paralympics in LA in 2028, and it was one she hoped could capture the public’s attention.
Tatyana McFadden is the USA’s most decorated female track and field Paralympian. (Getty Images / Tokyo 2020: Atsushi Tomura)
“My challenge for the US is really to put Paralympics first, because everyone knows the Olympics, right?” she said.
“But for the Paralympic side, I think we need that continuous growth and effort because when you look at the mainstream media, we’re still not mentioned.
“So it’s really important that we continue that pressure.”
She said a lot could be learned from the Marathon Majors like Boston, Chicago, and New York in their approach to elevating Para athletes.
“There’s many different sports, and we need to start covering all those sports and showing how athletes can play soccer and bocce and the swimming and the archery and the table tennis. There’s so many different summer sports out there besides the wheelchair racing that we need to showcase,” she said.
“And I think also supporting our local para sports programs.
“We’re a big country, and there’s a lot of para sports programs. And so I think [we need to] continue to advocate for those.”
