SPECIAL SECTION: NUTRITION & WELLBEING
Fighting for equality
In Australia, one in six people lives with disability. That’ s over four million members of the population. And while Cole says there have been a lot of improvements in the way Paralympic athletes are treated, representation and inclusivity still aren’ t where they need to be.
“ Sport’ s always reflected exactly what our society looks like,” she says.“ Unfortunately, we still have a lot of ground to make in equality and equal opportunities for those with disability.”
So, when the chance came to be a campmate on one of her favourite shows, Cole jumped at it, even though she and her partner Silvia had just welcomed Felix into the world.
“ I’ d always wanted to do I’ m a Celebrity … Get Me Out of Here. I wasn’ t just representing myself, I was representing everyone that has a disability,” she says.
“ Everybody always says you can’ t be what you can’ t see, and I hate that phrase because we have to start somewhere,” she continues.“ I want everyone to try to be that person.”
While Cole no longer swims on the Paralympic team, she’ s still heavily involved serving on the board and mentoring young athletes. Her focus now is on making sure the mistakes of the past aren’ t repeated.
“ I had an amazing career, but it was shrouded in awful things that I don’ t want others to have to go through,” she says.
“ Felix is going to be 20 years old in 2044 and I want him to be able to be whoever he wants to be. No-one in sport or in any industry should ever feel less valued than anyone that’ s standing next to them.” Bundjalung man Mark Olive is Australi \ Jiyan Dessens is a health and lifestyle journalist and the editor of the Connection.
WHERE TO WATCH
If you missed Cole’ s appearance on the recent season of I’ m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here, you can still catch all the action on the 10Play app or 10play. com. au.
You’ ll also be able to tune into the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic coverage on Channel 9 from Friday 26 July and Wednesday 28 August, respectively. Cole has joined Channel 9’ s Paris 2024 commentary team, so Australians everywhere will benefit from her innate storytelling ability.
“ I’ m going to be doing all of the pool deck interviews and I really want to be able to tell the stories of the Olympic and Paralympic athletes,” she enthuses.“ People always associate us as being like gold medal-winning robots, so I want to bring up the more human side and share their amazing journeys. It’ s super exciting to be able to be in a position where I can do that.”
COSTCO CONNECTION
Find items to support nutrition and wellbeing in warehouses and on Costco. com. au.
COURTESY OF ELLIE COLE
COSTCO CONNECTION JUL / AUG 2024 | 27