Holly Warn has a pretty different schedule than most teenagers — the 15-year-old has been balancing school with training for the Paralympics.
Warn started hydrotherapy as a baby after being diagnosed with cerebral palsy at four months old and immediately loved being in the water.
When she was 12 she was the youngest Australian to try for the Tokyo Paralympics but didn't qualify.
This year the Gold Coast resident is and will compete in 100-metre and 400-metre freestyle swimming events.
Warn spoke to SBS News about her love for swimming and her journey to Paris.
Holly Warn said she's had great support from her school, where she also trains. Source: Supplied / Paralympics Australia
Can you tell us about that moment when you knew you'd qualified for Paris? How did that feel?
Holly: It was pretty epic. There were a lot of tears of joy.
Both my parents were there and two of my siblings were there.
Does the Paralympics feel different compared to other events?
Holly: It does with the village and all the security here.
I didn't know I was the youngest Paralympian until my mum told me. I was like, oh, that's cool. I don't really focus on my age though. I mean, it is a bit annoying sometimes when you're too young to do stuff, but it is pretty cool to be at my first Paralympics at this age.
How did you get into swimming?
Holly: So I started swimming for hydrotherapy, for my cerebral palsy when I was about six months of age and I just never stopped swimming. I fell in love with it.
How are you balancing training with school?
Holly: I train in a pool at my school.
It's helpful that swimming is at school so I can juggle all my classes and training.
My school has been very accommodating while I take several weeks off for the Paralympics, and that's been really helpful.
The coach I have now, Alex, is amazing. I appreciate him so much.
Do you think everyone's going to be watching you?
Holly: I hope so.
Who would you say your sporting role models are?
I've met Ellie Cole and she is just so cool and awesome.
What would you like people to know about Parasport?
Holly: I would definitely say that the Paralympics and the Olympics are two different things and we need a lot more support and it needs to be fair.
When can we watch you compete?
Holly: My first event is day two of the games. I'm also racing on days five and seven, so I'll stick around and cheer my teammates on and have a lot of fun.
Some answers have been edited for clarity.
