For a long time, Michael Roeger’s work ethic was his greatest strength and greatest weakness. His ability to weather any storm formed the foundation of his success, often at the expense of his mental health.
Hailing from Langhorne Creek in South Australia, Roeger has fond memories of growing up in the country. He recalls kicking the footy and riding motorbikes with friends, but also reflects on the people in the tightknit town who lost their lives to personal battles.
“Growing up in the country, you are raised to be tough and to get on with it without making much of a fuss. That mindset builds resilience, but it can make it hard for us blokes to speak up when things get tough,” Roeger says.
“I dealt with that mindset for such a long time but more recently, I’ve started to speak up and talk to a psychologist. I have tried to understand why I’m doing sport and where I want to go.”
Speaking as part of Movember to change the face of men’s health, the Paralympic middle-distance star returns to the spotlight having missed the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships due to family commitments, becoming a dad for the first time with the arrival of his daughter Violet.
“I haven’t even watched the race for my class yet. I know the results obviously, but it was just so hard not being there. I felt like I was really missing out,” Roeger says.
“My wife Lauren is definitely the best thing that has happened to me, I feel stronger when I walk into rooms and stronger when I go to the track because of her. Just to have a partner that I can talk to about that stuff is something that I have never had before.”
At the Tokyo Paralympic Games, Roeger contested the marathon where he was the fastest man on paper by seven minutes, but a stress fracture in training dashed his hopes of gold and turned the race into a battle to finish, which he did in sixth place.
Three years on, he returned to the Paralympic stage in Paris where he held on for silver in the 1500m T46 in one of the races of the Games, falling short of gold again but this time holding a new perspective.
“That silver medal may have broken me in the past, but I had done a lot of work on myself to get to that point,” Roeger says.
“For so long I was just so focussed on winning that gold medal, and I still am, but there is so much more to life than gold medals. I have come to such a great place with my mental health that if it never happens, I’m still Roegs and I’m going to be fine.”
The nine-time global medallist trains out of Canberra under the guidance of Philo Saunders and alongside a host of fellow Paralympic stars including Jaryd Clifford and Angus Hincksman, crediting the group for his sense of belonging and community.
“We’re such a tight squad and there’s always one of us battling. As elite athletes, it’s not always smooth sailing but what gets us through is being a close family and having those conversations. We seem to be able to get through anything,” Roeger says.
At 37-years-old, Roeger has contested the last five Paralympic Games dating back to 2008, and is showing no signs of slowing down with his renewed love for running and life:
“More so these days when I get out for a run, I do take a breath and just think about how lucky I am. It’s not going to last forever but I’m feeling more grateful for it every day,” Roeger says.
“The fire is still there and I know that if I can keep my body and mind in one piece, I will be a shot to win that gold medal in LA in 2028.”
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By Lachlan Moorhouse, Australian Athletics
Posted 7/11/2025
