By Ann Marie
HOPPERS Crossing athlete Matthew Brown is counting down the days until he flies to Malaysia on his first overseas trip.
After missing out on representing Australia in the paralympics in Athens and Sydney, the disabled sprinter has now set his sights on Beijing 2008.
First, though, he needs to do well at a regional sports contest for elite disabled athletes involving teams from 60 countries in Asia and Oceania.
The part-time car detailer found out last week he was one of 25 Victorians named in Australia’s team for the Far East and South Pacific Games for the Disabled in Kuala Lumpur in November.
“This is something I’ve been working toward for a long time,” he said.
The 30-year-old is now stepping up his training at Victoria University’s athletics track to beat his personal bests.
“To make the Olympics in Beijing after missing out twice would be a dream come true.”
Born prematurely with hydrocephalus or spinal fluid on his brain, the right side of Mr Brown’s body is weaker than his left.
Nonetheless, the rapid runner covers 100 metres in about 13 seconds, 200 metres in 27 seconds, and 400 metres in just over a minute.
“I went from playing softball quite seriously for about 12 years to athletics because I loved the running,” he said.
Mr Brown is the only disabled person in the Henry McGaritty Group, a prestigious stable of professional and near-professional athletes.
His family includes two brothers, one a twin.
“Neither of my brothers are really athletes, but the whole family have been very supportive of everything I’ve achieved,” he said.
