PARALYMPIC swimmer Maddie McTernan is back from Paris satisfied with a “good campaign”.

“Two season bests, 5th place in the 100m backstroke, Silver in the 4 x 100m mixed free relay, two PBs, an Australian record, and 5th place in the 200m freestyle,” the former Coffs Harbour swimming club member shared with the News Of The Area.

Looking back at what inspired her to aim high, Maddie cites a chance meeting with Australian Paralympic swimming legend Ellie Cole AM at the NSW State Open Swimming Championships in 2016.

As a shy fifteen-year-old up-and-coming multiclass swimmer from Coffs Harbour, having a photo taken with the elite sportswoman fuelled Maddie’s Paralympics dream.

The intellectually impaired S14 swimmer, who lives with autism, anxiety and ADHD, set her sights on competing at the highest level.

At the recent Qantas “Welcome Home” function for the Australian Paralympic team in Sydney, Maddie again met Ellie, who is now a Channel 9 commentator, and showed her the photo of them from 2016.

She told Ellie how that photo inspired her and gave her the drive, passion and ambition to be an Australian Paralympic Dolphin team swimmer.

Maddie’s father Paul told NOTA, “I was the Coffs Harbour swimming team manager at the time and Maddie was in awe being in the presence of Ellie.

“I went over and asked if I could get a photo… which Ellie politely agreed to.

“When we left to drive back home Maddie told me she wanted to make the Australian team and swim with Ellie.

“I laughed at the time, thinking this was way beyond her capabilities.

“Wow, how I got that wrong. This is what the circle of sport is about.”

The family now lives on The Gold Coast but Maddie comes back to Coffs Harbour every year to participate in the swimming carnival.

“I hope I can return the favour that Ellie did for me and… have a photo [taken] with a young swimmer that helps them to live their dream, to make the Dolphins swim team and to represent Australia at a Paralympic games as I have done.

“That would be great.”

By Andrea FERRARI