After winning medals in past Deaflympics, Melinda Vernon stepped away from competition to focus on her young son. Now 40, she’s making a comeback for Australia, taking on the marathon in Tokyo with her son Hugo cheering trackside. Melinda hopes to inspire more deaf athletes and grow support for Deaflympics in Australia, where funding and access remain big challenges.
Deaf athletes like Melinda juggle barriers such as limited financial backing and language access, often fundraising just to compete. Australia’s history at the Deaflympics is long, but real challenges persist, especially compared to other elite disability sporting events. With over 90 Australians competing in Tokyo, athletes and teams continue to call for more recognition and support, determined to show what deaf sport and community can achieve on the global stage.