MITCHELL JOHNSON: Paralympians Ahmed Kelly, Madison de Rozario deserve more headlines than Raygun

If sport is the greatest reality TV there is then the Paralympics might be the greatest show of all when it comes to displays of emotion, honesty and pure strength of will in the sporting arena.

We have learned so many heartbreaking but also incredible backstories of our Paralympians over the past week.

Through their grief and, ultimately, strength and resilience, they are competing for so much more than a medal.

And their stories are so much more worthy of publicity than that of a certain breakdancer who made headlines at the Olympics as an “inspiration” and as someone who bravely “had a go”.

Australia’s Paralympians really should be getting the attention of our country as they compete at the highest level with courage and class.

And what an important education the Paralympics are for our children – who get to learn about disability through the courage, commitment and tenacity on display.

I have found myself with my family watching our athletes and cheering them on, trying to push them over the line. The basketball and rugby have been so enjoyable to watch and learn about.

My son preferred to watch the Paralympics over the US Open tennis. My kids have been asking about what disabilities the athletes have and what the numbers mean. It’s got me wondering too and looking up all the different classifications.

There are so many individual stories at these Paris Games that are simply astonishing.

I was watching the swimming medley with Ahmed Kelly up against his good mate Grant “Scooter” Patterson.

How could you not be inspired by Kelly? He was abandoned at an Iraqi orphanage with severely underdeveloped arms and legs, adopted by an Australian and now swims for Australia.

What an incredible demonstration of the power of the mind he is. And a true inspiration to fight for your dreams and that nothing is out of reach when it comes to the goals he wants to achieve.

In that heat swim, he finished second to his mate Scooter but was disqualified and then reinstated. Can you imagine that happening to you in the biggest sporting moment?

Mentally that impacts your mindset. But with everything he has faced in his life already, a distraction like this wasn’t going to play on his mind or impact his thoughts and what he was trying to achieve in the pool.

Kelly shrugged it off and won silver for Australia and that huge smile on his face said it all. I find so much strength in seeing athletes like Ahmed compete.

Watching the Rollers and the Steelers has been exciting too.

The skills on display along with the different classifications and combinations that the coach needs to be on top of, have been an eye-opener for me. The tactics are fascinating, and the physical side of both games has surprised me a bit too.

Another great aspect of the Paralympics is the honesty and authenticity we are getting in the interviews.

Watching James Turner bring it down the home straight to win gold and break his own world record in the T36 400m and then his interview was just awesome to watch. Watching James say “I’m proud to be Australian” made me very happy and I really felt what it meant to him to win that gold medal.

Another moment that was so pure and honest was watching the T13 1500m final with Aussie Jaryd Clifford running strong, leading most of the race only to fall agonisingly short by 0.01sec for bronze. The heartfelt moment he shared with the interviewer was just so genuine.

Madison de Rozario impressed me with a bronze in the 5000m T54. To get that result after a crash was tough and gusty. I felt tired just watching this event.

Madison spoke about how the crash shook her a bit and that starting the event again was daunting, but she was able to find her focus and make sure her mindset was positive, strong and in the moment. For young kids watching this is so important and it is inspiring.

Our athletes are doing us proud. I really hope our Paralympians and their coaches get the support they deserve - including funding, sponsorship and recognition. The opportunity to compete is their dream, but their journeys are a lesson for us all.