Carol Cooke AM Travels from Melbourne, VIC

Diagnosed with a chronic illness 27 years ago Carol set herself goals many others wouldn’t have dared and continues to race internationally as a Para Cyclist. With 3 Paralympic Games under her belt, she continues to challenge herself and others to believe that anyone can overcome adversity, accept change, find hidden courage and their own gold medal moment within themselves. She truly believes that if you dare to face your fears and believe in yourself you can overcome anything. Carol will inspire you to tap into your own resilience to achieve big dreams and find your FORCE Within yourself, believing that “It’s Never Too Late.”

She has won 3 Gold Medals and a Silver medal at three Paralympic Games (2012, 2016 & 2021) and she has won 9 World Championships and has just retired at the age of 63. She has overcome significant adversity to become a role model providing ongoing inspiration not only to the Paralympic movement but also to able-bodied athletes and the community.

Carol is an inspiration to everyone she meets due to her kind, caring and ‘can do’ approach to life. She helps people believe that nothing is impossible, that anyone can overcome adversity and self-doubt to realise that “It/s Never Too Late.”

She is the founder of the MS 24 Hour Mega Swim in 2001, which has raised just over $11 million (in the 20 years she ran it) and provides scholarships to people living with Multiple Sclerosis to follow a dream.

Carol was named in the 2014 Australia Day Honours List being named a Member of the order of Australia (AM). She received this award in recognition of her significant service to sport as a gold medallist at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, and for her philanthropic work and representational roles with charitable healthcare organisations.

Although living with the never-ending symptoms of this unpredictable disease, Carol has the strength and courage to get up each day with a positive and motivated attitude.  She has learnt to live for today and not worry about what may or may not happen in the future.

Carol believes that “Nothing is impossible if we dare to face our fears and believe in ourselves. The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.”