| Alexa Leary | |
| Nationality: | Australian |
| Country: | Australia |
| Sport: | Paralympic swimming |
| Disability Class: | S9 |
| Club: | St Hilda's, Gold Coast |
| Coach: | Jon Bell |
Alexa Leary (born 18 August 2001) is an Australian Paralympic swimmer. She won a gold medal and silver medal at the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships. She has been selected to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.
Leary was born on 18 August 2001. Her parents are Russ and Belinda Leary. She has two sisters, Madison and Ashtyn, and two brothers Max and Jack.[1] She grew up on the Gold Coast and later Yamba and Noosa, where her triathlon coach was based.[2] She attended Good Shepherd Lutheran College.
On 17 July 2021, Leary suffered life-changing brain injuries as a result of a serious cycling accident in Pomona, Queensland. Whilst riding her bike in training for triathlons, her front wheel clipped the bike ahead at 70 km/h. She landed on her head which resulted in major brain damage, blood clots and several broken bones. She spent 111 days in hospital.[3] [4] Whilst in hospital, a fund raising campaign called 'moveforlex' raised over $130,000 for enhanced care at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Neurosurgery Ward with a focus on equipment and family support.
Leary won the silver medal at in the Women's Under 18–19 at World Triathlon Grand Final in Lausanne, Switzerland before her training accident.[5]
Her triathlon training incorporated swimming. After her training accident, she was classified as an S9 swimmer. At the 2023 World Para Swimming Championships, Manchester, she won a gold medal in the Women's 100 m Freestyle S9 just outside the world record and a silver medal in the Women's 50 m Freestyle S9.[6]
She is coached by Jon Bell at St Hilda's on the Gold Coast. She has a been selected to compete at the 2024 Summer Paralympics in Paris.[7]