12 Facts About Rachael Watson

Rachael Watson is a triplet and has mild cerebral palsy however remained functionally independent and ambulant.

Rachael Watson has subsequently been diagnosed with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.

Rachael Watson took up swimming as part of her rehabilitation from Guillain Barre Syndrome.

Rachael Watson has myopia and is unable to see the results score board at the end of the pool so remains unaware of her placing until she is told.

Rachael Watson has recently been reclassified to an S3 swimmer due to her degenerative neurological condition.

At the 2016 Rio Paralympics, Rachael Watson won the gold medal in the Women's 50m Freestyle S4 in a Paralympic record time of 40.13.

Rachael Watson became the first swimmer classed S5 or below, to win gold for Australia this millennium.

In 2018, Rachael Watson was chosen to volunteer at the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.

At the postponed 2020 Tokyo Paralympics, Rachael Watson won the gold medal in the Women's 50m freestyle S4 in a Paralympic record time of 39.36.

In 2022, Rachael Watson was chosen to volunteer at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

At the 2024 Paris Paralympics, Rachael Watson won the 500th medal in swimming for Australia and was the first Olympian or Paralympian to win a medal in the 50m Freestyle at three consecutive games.

Rachael Watson won Australia's first ever medal in the S3 100m Freestyle since the Paralympics begun in 1960.