Carol Cooke

Leading an exciting life as a Police Officer in Toronto, Canada where Carol worked undercover for 4 years, she then moved around the world to Australia for love. After a devastating diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis in 1998 and an Ovarian Cancer scare in 2003, she has overcome significant adversity to become a role model providing ongoing inspiration not only to the Paralympic movement but also to able-bodied athletes and the community.

As a swimmer, rower and cyclist Carol has proved her versatility in sports over the last 46 years and now at an age where most people are thinking of retirement Carol continues to race at an elite international level.

Carol is an inspiration to everyone she meets due to her kind, caring and ‘can do’ approach to life. Her deep understanding of life enables her to provide inspiration to groups ranging from senior management to school children. She helps people believe that nothing is impossible, that anyone can overcome adversity and self-doubt to find their inner gold.

In 2011 Carol took up Para-Cycling and has gone on to win 3 Gold Medals at two Paralympic Games (2012 & 2016). She has won 7 World Championships and continues to compete internationally.

She is also the founder of the MS 24 Hour Mega Swim in 2001, which is one of the fastest growing fundraising events in Australia and has raised over $8.3 million which provides scholarships to people living with Multiple Sclerosis to follow a dream.

In 2014 Carol has been bestowed the honour of being named a ‘Member in the General Division’ (AM) of the Order of Australia for her Gold medal and her Philanthropic work.

In 2015 Carol became an author of her book “Cycle of Life”. In 2016 Carol updated her book and changed the name to ‘Finding Your Inner Gold.’