Moore calls time on her racing career

Two-time Paralympic silver medallist Jemima Moore has announced her retirement from international wheelchair racing, after a career spanning more than 12 years. 

A veteran of the Australian Para-athletics Team, Moore says she felt now was the right time to put her racing gloves away for the last time. 

“I have always loved playing different sports and getting outdoors, but when I found wheelchair racing, I was excited to have something I could be physically challenged by and at the same time feel accepted, independent and valued for the effort I put in,” Moore said.

“What I have loved most about being on the Australian team is being surrounded by like-minded people with varying ability that just get on with it. The community in which sport provides has been the best part of growing up in the sporting world.

“At a young age, it is hard to feel accepted and understood when you have a disability but when I first went away with the Australian team, I learned that there is a whole community of people that are doing things I had not even considered. 

“But over the last few years, I have felt a decline in my passion, and I have also battled an injury which has set me back for several months. Coupled with the events of 2020,  I decided that I needed to make the call and retire so I could allow myself to properly take a break physically and mentally and move onto something I could once again feel passionate about.”

Beginning her wheelchair racing journey in 2007 in her hometown of Geelong, Moore made her international debut the following year at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. 

It was a stellar rise to the top for Moore, who contested in two events in Beijing, and together with Paralympians Angie Ballard, Christie Dawes and Madison de Rozario won a silver medal in the 4 x 100m T53/54. 

The race is just one highlight of Moore’s career, and one she was lucky enough to relive eight years later at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, where the same four racing supremos reunited to win silver once again.

“My highlights are being selected for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and winning a silver medal in the relay as a 16-year-old,” Moore said.

“Another highlight and perhaps my biggest one is when I raced my first marathon in China last year, and came third. It was a whirlwind four-day return trip and I was over the moon that after all these years, I could still surprise myself with a race that pushed me to my limits.”

Athletics Australia General Manager of High Performance Andrew Faichney congratulated Moore for her achievements and wished her all the best for the next chapter.

“Jemima has been a stalwart of the Australian Para-athletics Team, a fierce competitor and a great team member.  She was a key part of the 4x100m relay teams over multiple Paralympic Games which saw her achieve two silver medals at the Beijing and Rio Paralympic Games. 

“While it’s sad to see her close this chapter, she has achieved so much on the track, and her contribution to wheelchair racing will be her legacy in sport. We wish her all the best for what’s next,” he said.

Moore was coached to her first Paralympic silver by Kaye Colman, and for the past eight years, has been coached by Fred Periac in Canberra. 

By Sascha Ryner
Posted: 5/2/2021