Curtis McGrath is no stranger to overcoming hardships. Australia’s greatest Paracanoeist lost both his legs in a mine blast in 2012 in Afghanistan while serving as a combat engineer for the Australian Army.
Four years later, after intense training and rehabilitation, the 36-year-old proved his mettle by winning the KL2 title at Rio 2016.
That was only the beginning of a stellar sporting career that has seen him win 12 world titles and add two more Olympic gold medals at Tokyo 2020.
Heading into Paris 2024, defending his titles is not the only priority for the Australian. Last month, he became a father when his wife Rachel gave birth to a baby boy named Monty.
However, their child was born with a heart condition and had to undergo surgery immediately.
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Leaving home only a month after embracing fatherhood has been a difficult decision but McGrath is keen to make them proud.
“It’s been tough. Leaving (him) to come here has been one of the hardest things I've had to do in my sport,” he said.
“I'm so proud of how strongly he and my wife have supported me, allowing me to come over. She (his wife) has taken all the burden on this.
“It's been hard, but it means I'll be working for more."
McGrath’s competition runs from September 6 to 8 at the Vaires-sur Marne Nautical Stadium, with the likes of Scott Martlew of New Zealand and Giovane Vieira of Brazil among his competitors.
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Alongside seven-time Paralympian and wheelchair sprinter Angie Ballard, the Queenslander has also been named co-captain of the Australian Paralympic team of 160 athletes.
Despite taking a year off after Tokyo 2020, McGrath appears to be in fine form on the water.
After winning a gold and bronze at the 2024 ICF Paracanoe World Championships in Szeged in the lead-up to the Games, the Australian is confident of defending his titles in the French capital.
“It's pretty amazing to come in as the Paralympic champion in the two events I did in Tokyo,” he said.
“It does mean there's a target on my back and I do know people are working hard to get my spot.”
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