Dual gold medallist at the Sydney Paralympic, Amy Winters reflects 20-year-on

26 October 2020

Dual gold medallist at the Sydney Paralympic, Amy Winters reflects 20-year-on

20-years-ago this week the 2000 Sydney Paralympics were held. A leading NSW athlete was a country girl from Kempsey, Amy Winters, who would win the T46 100m/200m sprint double.

How was her build up? As a home-town athlete was there added pressure? How did she handle the expectation as two years earlier she had won dual gold medals at the 1998 World Para-athletics Championships?

Aths NSW: At the Sydney Paralympics you were well into your career by then and in the leadup had won world championships and was a Paralympic defending champion in the 200m. How was the pressure? You were involved in leadup publicity?

Amy: I look back on the whole Sydney 2000 experience with incredible memories. I had moved to Sydney on my own as an 18 year old in 1997 and was keen to soak up as much of the Games experience that was on offer. Even though this would be my second Paralympics, this was my first four-year training block targeting a Games. I started training with Colin Wright and from the very start, our goal for Sydney was to win the 100m and to defend my title in the 200m. Nothing else mattered except that goal.

Professionally, I joined Westpac and within six months, transferred to a marketing team which ultimately worked on the Olympic and Paralympic sponsorship activation. I became one of the faces of Westpac's Games sponsorship and I was also an ambassador for the Paralympic Games (SPOC) and hit the speaking and promotional circuit. The people I met and the places I went to were such new and amazing experiences for me as a country girl from Kempsey! They also were a huge confidence booster and built awareness and support not only for me, but for the whole Paralympic Team. I was really proud to be a spokesperson for the movement that consumed my life!

Aths NSW: What was it like seeing the Olympics unfold ahead of the Paralympics?

Amy: I had loved the Olympics since I was a kid, so watching the Olympics, attending events and being in a home Olympic city at that time was one of the best experiences of my life. I went to a number of events including the Opening Ceremony, the 100m finals and the magic that was Freeman's 400m - all of these just fuelled the excitement of what was to come at the Paralympics. I don't think I expected the Para's to be the same but I was hopeful that we could experience just a fraction of what was happening at the Olympics.

Aths NSW: Reflections on the opening ceremony?

Amy: The highlight of the Opening Ceremony for me was without doubt, walking into the stadium. As vice captain of the team, it was an honour to be in the first row behind our flag bearer, Brendan Burkett. The roar of the crowd as we entered the stadium and Australia was announced was just extraordinary. It was something very few people have the opportunity to experience, so I'm grateful that I had that chance. The success of the Opening Ceremony and the experience it delivered really set the tone and filled me with excitement for what lay ahead.

We athletes had concerns when SPOC announced they were charging for tickets to the Paralympics. We had fears that the empty seats we saw in Atlanta would happen again if people had to pay. But, to our delight, record numbers of spectators attended the Games and paid for the privilege. I remember being outside the stadium on Olympic Boulevard towards the end of the Games with my roomie, Katrina Webb and the sea of people that we saw in every direction that we turned. We just looked at each other incredulously and laughed saying that we couldn't believe this crowd was here for the Paralympics. We were so proud that Australia had got behind the Games and showed the world that the Paralympics matter and that they wanted to see us, support us and ultimately, watch a great sporting event.

Aths NSW: Athletics started on day 2 and you first competed on day 4. How were the days prior? Memories of the competition days?

Amy: I would always get nervous before big races. There was always a chance that a competitor who you'd never heard of could come from nowhere and blitz the field and that was my biggest fear. I'd see fit looking arm amps in the dining hall and be thinking "oh, I wonder if she's in my race" and it would mess with my head. I was 22 at the Sydney Paralympics but still had a lot to learn about performance psychology!

By the time it came to racing, I had my 200m first which was my least favourite event. I doubted my strength over the distance and feared I'd tire over the last 50m, which is ironic as that was mostly my strongest part of the race! After a mis-judged 200m semi final, I had drawn lane 8 for the final which I felt was disastrous as I liked the stagger to chase my competition. My main competitor, Anna Szymul (POL) had also broken my 200m world record in the semis. It felt like things weren't going to plan. But I knew I wanted this win. I knew that I was a performer and I knew I could do it.

That victory was one of the sweetest of my career and I was SO relieved. The medal presentation can still bring a tear to my eye. I had incredible support in the crowd from the rest of the team, the Westpac staff with their 'Go Amy' posters, the bus loads of people who came down from Kempsey and of course my family and friends who were there. From that point on, I relaxed and the rest of the Games and the racing were like a dream. Sure, I'd love to have run faster but I had the gold medals - and a bonus bronze in the 400m - and for me, that was my job done.

As a gold medallist, I was fortunate to attend the Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Brisbane and Hobart parades. These really capped off a remarkable Games experience and allowed us to celebrate together... and we had so much fun!

Aths NSW: Reflections 20 years on?

Amy: It's hard for people who weren't involved or in Sydney during that entire Games period to truly understand what a remarkable time it was, either as an athlete, staff member, spectator or even just as a resident of Sydney. It was truly magical and something we'll never experience again. I'm so incredibly proud to be a Paralympian, but also to have played a role in bringing the Paralympics into the mainstream. Educating others that we deserved to be treated as elite athletes - we worked damn hard for that recognition over a long period of time. Representing myself, my family and support team, my hometown and my country, at a home games, with pride, passion and integrity - and being recognised and praised for doing so was, and still is, an enormous honour.

Aths NSW: Pre/post the Games you worked in the sport and now?

Amy: My time with Westpac was incredible - I took every opportunity that came my way, including meeting my husband! Professionally, I moved into sport in 2002 and worked in and around Paralympic sport until 2013. I worked in marketing and sponsorship for the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic campaigns with the Australian Paralympic Committee and commentated in Beijing and at the 2011 IPC World Championships.

I stepped away from Paralympic sport following the birth of my second son as I wanted some time away from the world of Paralympics. I found though that once you step away, you've really stepped away. Times and people change.

Life is busy with our two boys, now aged 10 and 7 and the usual family life. We run our own business in Sydney, and both work on other projects as well. I became involved in Little Athletics once my kids took an interest and am now President at Canterbury Little Athletics Centre. I've loved using my skills and experiences in a voluntary capacity in local community sport. It feels great to make a difference just because you can.

Aths NSW: Thanks Amy, you have been one of our great Paralympians and your place in history is assured.

David Tarbotton for Athletics NSW
Image: Amy Winters winning the T46 100m at the Sydney Paralympics.