Paris appeal for Ricky - and his mum
Ricky Betar has booked his place at the Paralympic Games - and now the race is on to get his number one fan to Paris as well.
The 20-year-old from Morayfield will represent Australia in the multi-class 100m butterfly, 200m freestyle, 200m individual medley (IM) and 100m backstroke.
It will be his second Paralympics. In Tokyo three years ago, Ricky won a silver medal with Australia’s mixed 4x100m freestyle relay S14 team.
Due to COVID, his mum Nori could not be there and now travel and accommodation costs in Paris are beyond her, having just moved up from NSW.
However, work colleagues in the Belgravia GOswim Contact Centre at Burpengary Regional Aquatic Leisure Centre are determined Nori will not miss out again.
They have launched a gofundme appeal to help a "wonderful mother". For details and to donate click here.
The centre team aims to raise $8000 for Nori to make the 16,500km trip and see her son, a lifeguard at Burpengary, at the Paralympics (August 28-September 11).
"It would mean a lot to me knowing my mother will be on the grandstand cheering for me, rather than behind a screen halfway across the world," Ricky said.
Preparations for Paris are gathering pace with twice daily training at UniSC on the Sunshine Coast, under Paralympic Hub head coach Harley Connolly.
In mid-August, Australia's Paralympic swimmers will fly to Chartres in France for a two-week camp before moving on to Paris.
Of his four events, Ricky’s best chance may be the 200m IM where he is currently ranked sixth in the world.
“From the moment I realised I could compete as a swimmer with an intellectual impairment in the Paralympics, it became my goal,” Ricky said.
“Now, getting ready for my second Paralympics, I’m confident and really excited for what’s to come in Paris.
"I felt proud (when being selected) and am concentrating on myself to I will be able to perform the best I can.
"I am looking forward to the racing atmosphere. It will be full of spectators and cheering."
And Ricky insists he is not going as a “tourist, but to make his country proud”.
Taking on and overcoming challenges is nothing new for Ricky. He came to Australia from Japan and started swimming lessons at the age of one.
In his first carnival, aged nine, Ricky finished last and when joining a squad struggled for six months.
“But now, because of his achievements, he is finally being acknowledged for his incredible abilities and it’s truly amazing to see,” Nori said.
Among his many trophies and awards is also a bronze medal from the 2019 World Championships mixed 4x100m freestyle relay S14 in London.
Cheryl McLennan, Queensland Aquatics Manager for Belgravia Leisure, said: “This is a heart-warming story.
“If shared and embraced, will enable Nori to be there, ensuring Ricky’s achievements are celebrated with the love and pride of family by his side.”
To donate to the gofundme click here