MOUNT Cotton swimmer Paige Leonhardt is among the athletes preparing for the world's biggest sporting event for intellectually challenged athletes in October.
The INAS Global Games, to be hosted by Brisbane for the first time, will see more than 1000 athletes from around 50 countries compete in ten different sports including athletics, cycling, rowing, swimming and tennis.
Leonhardt and her Australian teammates attended a special function at Parliament House this week where Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Ipswich resident Archie Graham as the men's captain and said there would be financial support for the 44 Queensland athletes.
Leonhardt started her swimming career in Port Macquarie before moving to Mount Cotton in January 2017.
Sport Minister and Springwood MP Mick de Brenni said Leonhardt and Jack Ireland were the athletes to catch in the swimming pool.
"I've known Paige for some time now," Mr de Brenni said. "She's a local to my community and it's always thrilling to watch her swim."
Mr de Brenni said Leonhardt had been an ambassador for the government's Sports and Recreation strategy called Activate! Queensland and her photo was on the cover of the discussion paper that led its development.
"I recall being asked why the cover photo was of someone in green and gold, not maroon," Mr de Brenni said. "I told them it's because we want to support Queenslanders to be the best they can be - to represent our state, and also internationally, as members of the Australian team."
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Queensland athletes would receive $2700 to help with their preparation.
"We want to ensure our local team members have the best chance of going for gold against the world's best," Ms Palaszczuk said.
"Queensland has a proven track record with inclusive games. The Gold Coast Commonwealth Games was the largest sporting event to integrate para-sports.
"We're building on that success with the INAS Global Games because disability should never be a barrier to competing at the highest levels."
Mr de Brenni said the INAS Games will launch at King George Square in October.
"With the international spotlight focusing on Brisbane for the INAS Games, we want to continue to show that Queensland has a winning track record with hosting major sporting events," Mr de Brenni said
"It's also important that there is equality in sport for all Queenslanders, including those with any kind of disability.
