Matthew Levy

Receiving the Medal of the Order of Australia [OAM] in 2014. (mattlevyoam.com.au, 17 May 2018)

His parents. (mattlevyoam.com.au, 14 Feb 2021; athletesvoice.com.au, 03 Dec 2019)

Australian swimmer Ian Thorpe. (paralympic.org.au, 01 Sep 2016)

"I compete in swimming to show myself that I can achieve whatever I want, not what I am limited by." (mattlevyoam.com.au, 17 May 2018)

He was named Para Athlete of the Year for 2014 at the New South Wales Sports Awards in Australia. (theherald.com.au, 20 Feb 2015)

In 2014 he received the Medal of the Order of Australia [OAM] for service to sport. (paralympic.org.au, 26 Jan 2014)

To compete at the 2020 Paralympic Games in Tokyo. (mattlevyoam.com.au, 14 Feb 2021)

He has cerebral palsy and a visual impairment after being born 15 weeks premature. "I've had around 50 odd operations ranging from heart, lungs, ear, brain, you name it. When I was young, doctors told me I'd never walk properly. They told me I'd never hear without hearing aids. There were a lot of things I was told I'd never do. I'm glad I didn't listen." (mattlevyoam.com.au, 14 Feb 2021; athletesvoice.com.au, 03 Dec 2019; Westpac Banking YouTube channel, 13 Oct 2019; paralympic.org.au, Sep 2016)

OCCUPATION
He has worked for an Australian bank since 2010. "I have specific hours, and the managers have been very accommodating, treating me as not just someone with an impairment, but someone that can be beneficial to the team. I know when I started they gave me a chance, and I think that is very rare still. Juggling a relatively full-time job is difficult, but I guess rewarding because I know I've got something behind me when my sport finishes so I can easily transition into a life after swimming." (LinkedIn profile, 26 Feb 2021; mattlevyoam.com.au, 14 Feb 2021; Westpac Banking YouTube channel, 13 Oct 2019; dailymail.co.uk, 03 May 2019)

BOOK
In late 2020 he released a book called 'Keeping Your Head Above Water: Inspirational Insights from a Champion'. (Instagram profile, 01 Dec 2020; amazon.co.uk, 21 Nov 2020)

CHARITY WORK
He has served as an ambassador for a number of Australian charities including the Life's Little Treasures Foundation and the Telstra Paralympic Education Program. "I am passionate about doing as much as I can for my various charities. For me, I feel I am lucky compared to a lot of others, and if I can use my profile as an athlete to raise awareness for deserving causes then it's my duty to do so." (mattlevyoam.com.au, 14 Feb 2021)

FURTHER EDUCATION
He has studied for a master's degree in leadership, innovation, business administration and management at the University of Canberra in Australia. (LinkedIn profile, 26 Feb 2021)