Family Flourish | Low Better than ever ahead of Kobe and Paris

From Paralympic champion Vanessa Low to the nation’s renowned Marathon Mums, the women of Australian athletics continue to prove that global glory can be a family affair, with Low’s world record in January confirming she is better than ever ahead of the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships beginning in Kobe, Japan next week.

While the World Para Athletics Championships and Paralympic Games dates have been regular fixtures in Low’s diary for well over a decade, Mother’s Day which will be celebrated this Sunday has taken on a new meaning since the birth of her first son Matteo with husband and coach Scott Reardon in June of 2022.

“Track becomes a little bit less important; you realise that nothing really matters unless you have your own personal happiness. Whether that’s a child or whether that’s delivered from balance elsewhere, it really enhances your performance,” Low said.

“As much as my track days aren’t perfect these days and there are lots of little aspects that I have done better in the past, I know I can compete at my best because I have work-life balance and fulfilment outside of sport.”

Making her return to the world stage for the 2023 World Para Athletics Championships in Paris just weeks after Matteo’s first birthday, Low leapt to bronze in the Long Jump T63 to scribe the opening chapter of her athletics career as a mum.

“I knew last year I was probably not quite there yet to push personal bests, which could have been enough to be on top of the podium. Of course, as an athlete you want to win, that’s an essential part of the game. But at the same time, I was just happy to be back,” Low said.

“I’m really amazed by the female body being able to do these things, just two years ago I was carrying a little human inside me.”

Leaping to a T61 world record of 5.33m (0.0) at the ACT State Championships in January to eclipse her previous best by five centimetres, the reigning Paralympic champion laid down a statement performance to put the world on notice ahead of the 2024 Games in Paris where she will compete to defend her title.

“This year is different. I feel like I’m at the top of my game and it’s not a comeback story anymore. I feel like I’m better than I have ever been before and I want to show what I can do, and if someone can do better – good for them,” Low said.

“I have blown my cover a little bit, but the world record was only the warm up. I feel like there’s a lot left in the tank and I’m really excited.”

Low’s training sessions regularly feature Matteo playing in the sandpit as coach, husband and fellow Paralympic champion Scott Reardon casts an eye over the operation, with the trio finding a winning formula on and off the track.

“We leave training at training and because we spend so much time there, we don’t have to do it at home. Because our relationship has always been founded on trust and friendship, it has really carried on through to training,” Low said.

“Scott doesn’t pretend to know everything and how it needs to be done, and I don’t pretend to see what he sees. Just acknowledging that we all have our own little parcel that we contribute to this journey and making it a collaboration has really worked for us.”

Set to compete in the 2024 World Para Athletics Championships beginning next Friday (May 17) and already selected for the 2024 Paralympic Games beginning in August, Low is one of many mums changing the way forward for women in Australian athletics.

“When I thought about my own journey, I didn’t really think about paving the way or doing something for others. I just tried to do my best with what I had. Looking back over the past couple of years, I wish I had that person close to me and ask the questions,” Low said.

“Two years down the track, now I feel like we are ready and are ready to support that journey.”

By Lachlan Moorhouse, Athletics Australia
Posted: 10/5/2024