Bike for Rio Paralympics 2016

Tony Scoleri Paralympic campaign to Rio the Janeiro 2016. I’m an international level competitor in the sport of paratriathlon. I started in triathlon as a fully able athlete in 2002. Success came quickly and from 2003 to 2005 I won all major championships in Sprint and Olympic distance triathlons and duathlons in South Australia. At that point I dreamt of representing Australia at the World Championships and getting into the Ironman distance. However, in early 2007, I was involved in a near fatal accident when the passenger of a car opened their door as I was riding past. In a split second, all my dreams collapsed. My body and mind were crushed to pieces. My life became all about intensive physiotherapy and personal challenges. Almost a decade later and left with a right arm disability, I have come back into triathlon through perseverance and resilience. The sport gives me a purpose to FIGHT for a better health instead of undergoing the pains and troubles my medical condition throws at me daily.

My major achievements this year include winning the Australian National and Oceania Championships in my classification and recently coming 4th at the World Championships in the Open category in Edmonton, Canada. I believe in my chances to qualify for the Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016 but I must upgrade my  10-year old road bike to a proper Time Trial bike.

I am a self-funded athlete and pay all the costs for interstate and international races. These costs come in addition to a heavy medical support which I require to cope with trainings and my disability. This year I have realised my dream to participate and cross that magic finish line at a World Championship. I want to dream some more and inspire others along the way. THANK YOU for any support you might provide towards this Time Trial bike. It is thanks to people like yourself that the World is a better place where dreams come true.