Alexander McKillop

BIOGRAPHY

After a decade in athletics, Alexander McKillop will make his Australian team debut at the World Para Athletics Championships. In New Delhi he will compete in the T36 100m, but he didn’t start his athletics journey in sprints.

“My Grade 6 PE teacher encouraged me to try cross country representing Tasmania at the National Championships. But I eventually chose sprinting because I enjoy it. It makes me happy to feel fast.”

Alexander had a difficult time during COVID. He lost his father and athletics funding. “I lost motivation for a while, but then I came back strong as I had missed feeling fast and I missed the sport, especially the people.”

This season Alexander has run a series of quality times in the 100m, including six under the Development standard and one under the Performance standard. He clocked a PB of 12.17.

Alexander is coached by Rosemary Coleman, a very admired person in athletics in Tasmania. Alexander spoke about the influence she has had on his career: “We have had this dream and goal together and we have achieved one of them (Australian team selection). She taught me to believe in and achieve our goals. With hard work and determination, we can get there.“

Another major influence in his life is he mother: “She is always so caring, loving, positive and supportive and wants me to be the best person I can, and always to have a go, keep believing in yourself, never give up, try hard and be happy.”

Disability: Joubert Syndrome & Retinitis Pigmentosa. JS affects my coordination, balance, speech, learning and fine motor skills. RP affects my peripheral and night vision. My difficulties with coordination, balance and fi ne motor skills cause fatigue and has been challenging in my sprinting. Also training or competing when the light is dull or cloudy is hard because of my RP…Hero: Nicola Olyslagers because of her faith and her belief in herself in a very happy way. Nick Mayhugh, an American Paralympian 100m & 200m – T37 athlete and now a T38. I liked his technique…Interests: I love all things sport, especially AFL Hawks, BBL Hurricanes, NBL Jack Jumpers, NBA Houston Rockets. I love shooting basketball hoops and playing cricket. I love playing drums, music and dancing…Sporting goals: Represent Australia at the Paralympics…Sporting goals: Finalist or medallist at the 2028 and 2032 Paralympics…Occupation: Kitchen Hand at Uniting Care and St Mary’s College Murphy’s Café and casual admin assistant at Speech Pathology Tasmania.

@ 22 Sept 2025  david.tarbotton@athletics.org.au