Damien Burroughs facts for kids
2000 Australian Paralympic team portrait of Burroughs
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nickname(s) | Damo | |||||||||||||||||||
| Nationality |  Australia |
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| Born | 28 October 1978 West Union, Ohio, United States |
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Medal record
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Damien Alexander Burroughs, also known as "Damo," was born on October 28, 1978. He is an amazing Australian Paralympic athlete. Damien won a gold medal at the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games. He also competed in the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Paralympics.
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About Damien Burroughs
Damien was born in West Union, Ohio, USA. This was on October 28, 1978. In 1979, his family moved to Australia. Damien has a condition called cerebral palsy. This condition affects the right side of his body.
He went to St Francis Xavier College and Hawker College in Canberra. Damien shared his experience growing up. He was the only student with a disability in his school year. He tried every sport in physical education (PE). He said it made him feel good not to always come in last.
Damien's Athletic Career
Damien Burroughs started his athletic journey early. He placed third in discus at the 1994 FESPIC Games. These games are for athletes with disabilities in Asia and the Pacific.
Gold Medal at the Paralympics
At the 1996 Atlanta Paralympic Games, Damien won a gold medal. He competed in the Men's Discus F36 event. He even set a new world record! For this amazing achievement, he received the Medal of the Order of Australia. He also finished 8th in the Men's Shot Put F36 event. This was his personal best throw.
Training and World Championships
In 1997, Damien received a special scholarship. It was from the Australian Institute of Sport. He joined their Athletes with a Disability program. His coach was Scott Goodman. Damien stayed on this scholarship until 2002. In 1997, he broke the world record again in discus. He threw it 38.18 meters!
He continued to compete at a high level. At the 1998 IPC Athletics World Championships, he won a silver medal in discus. He also placed 8th in shot put.
Competing in More Paralympic Games
Damien competed in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games. He placed 4th in Men's Discus F37. He was 14th in Men's Javelin F37. He also finished 7th in Men's Shot Put F37.
In 2002, he competed again at the IPC Athletics World Championships. He finished 7th in discus and 9th in shot put. At the 2004 Athens Paralympic Games, he competed in three events. He was 5th in Men's Discus F37. He placed 8th in Men's Javelin F37. He also finished 6th in Men's Shot Put F37.
Before the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships, he broke the Australian record for discus. He threw it 44.41 meters! At the championships, he finished 7th in discus.
Recognition and Awards
Damien Burroughs has received several awards for his dedication. In 1996, he was named the Developing Male Paralympian of the Year. In 2000, he received an Australian Sports Medal. This award recognized his many years of service to the Paralympic movement as a loyal athlete.
