Michael Milton was first inducted into the Australian Sport Hall of Fame in 2014 and will now be elevated to a Legend of Australian Sport. Photo: Michael Milton Facebook.
Under normal circumstances, Michael Milton would have a separate wing of his Canberra home dedicated to accommodate the multitude of trophies he has won through his 51 years.
Such is his modesty, though, there is nothing on display at home as the majority of his medals and prized paraphernalia, including his speed ski and suit, are on loan to various museums.
He might have to make an exception for his latest accolade: elevation to Legend status within the Sport Australia Hall of Fame.
Says Michael about his new status, “You look through the list of names and struggle to compare your own name and achievements, but I guess the good part of that is that I’m not the judge and so I don’t have to decide whether I’m worthy or not. I feel very comfortable leaving that to others. ”
Michael in Canberra with a determined skating friend. Photo: Michael Milton Facebook.
Michael is already a legend in Australian sport and the Paralympic movement, having won 11 medals, including six gold across five Winter Paralympics.
He now sits alongside the likes of Sir Donald Bradman, Dawn Fraser, Ian Thorpe, Cathy Freeman, Heather McKay and Evonne Goolagong-Cawley in the exclusive Legend club.
Additionally, he became only the fourth Australian to compete at the Winter and Summer Paralympics after qualifying for three cycling events in Beijing.
There is also his speed skiing record of 213.65 km/h in France, two Para Triathlon World Championships, completing an ultra-marathon on crutches, as well as climbing Kilimanjaro and then Kokoda twice.
Not bad for a kid who lost his leg due to osteosarcoma at nine years of age, then overcame oesophageal cancer, followed by his third battle with cancer over the last 12 months after a tumour was detected in his bowel.
Reflecting upon his cancer and his elevation to the nation’s highest sports honour, Michael says, “A lot of the Legends on the list are, sadly, no longer with us. As a three-time cancer survivor, I’m just happy this isn’t a posthumous award!”
Michael Milton staying busy during the COVID lockdown in 2021. Photo: Michael Milton Facebook.
If your kids say they can’t do something, get them to Google ‘Michael Milton’. It would appear in his world virtually anything that a human can do is possible.
Despite the obvious attention that comes through his sporting feats, perhaps his greatest achievement has been his ability to bring others along for the ride.
His sheer determination to overcome hurdles most wouldn’t even consider taking on, and his encouragement of people with a disability to participate in sport, particularly winter sports, are both significant achievements.
These days, he derives his greatest joy in seeing his kids participate in sport. One is a passionate cricketer and the other a keen skier.
Next week’s induction to Legend status at the Sport Australia Hall of Fame ceremony is a reminder of his considerable achievements as an athlete whose accomplishments put him in the highest of sports categories.
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