They called the Invictus competitors “inspirational” but it was the children from the Big Little Warrior event who won the hearts of athletics fans at the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 presented by Jaguar Land Rover.
Competing in a relay race on Friday morning, the children from Cerebral Palsy Alliance (CPA) showed off their tenacity and skills to the adulation of the Sydney crowd.
Some of young runners are aspiring Paralympians, others just love playing sport, but the one thing they shared was the unconquered spirit of the Invictus Games.
The CPA developed the event in partnership with the Invictus Games Sydney 2018 organisers to bring greater awareness to disability sports.
Alex Coombs, 12, from Minchinbury Public School, said the experience would remind him he could do anything if he tried.
Coombs brought home his team in the 100m relay on a walking frame racing against other young competitors with cerebral palsy on race-runner bikes.
“It was so much fun! The crowd was cheering and I tried to go faster,” he said.
“Even though I didn’t get first, it was fun being there. I loved competing and the crowds enthusiasm.
“Being at the Invictus Games is very inspirational because the competitors show us that we can do anything.”
Indi Cooper, 13, who holds the Pacific School Games record for 800m for competitors in the T38 division, travelled from Gundagai to take part in the event.
“We are all so lucky we had the opportunity to race,” Cooper said.
“It was an amazing experience. The crowds gave us a standing ovation.”
For Katie Booth, from Normanhurst West Public School, the race was her first after taking up triathlon sports thanks to the CPA.
“I didn’t do a lot of sport but I love it now,” said the 12-year-old, who has the rare genetic condition called neurofibromatosis type 1.
“Today was so much fun! The Invictus Games competitors have gone through so many challenges, they showed me it doesn’t matter if you win or lose just go for a personal best.”
Alison Engesser, whose son Matthew took part in the event, was overwhelmed by the reception of the crowds and the awareness it created about the Little Warriors.
“The Invictus Games experience has been phenomenal,” she said.
“For us, it means the world watching as these adults compete for their love of sports while they have these children who are watching on and they don’t realise the impact that they’re having on these children.
“The ‘Little Warriors’ showing the ‘Big Warriors’ how they can compete has meant the world to us.”
Mum Justine Warton, mum of Sybella, added: “This experience has exceeded all my expectations today. It’s been so awesome for our kids to experience the emotion and the spirit of the Invictus Games in the stadium.
“Our kids are already on the pathway to have Paralympic dreams and I think being here today, seeing the crowd and seeing how disability sport is moving ahead every year, there’s a lot of hope for a bright future.”
By Catriona Dixon and Ian Mountford
Invictus Games Sydney 2018