Matt Levy OAM (swimming) became the first male para swimmer to successfully defend his title at the Commonwealth Games when he won the men’s 50m freestyle S7 in Birmingham in 2022. His time was just outside the Games record he set on the Gold Coast four years earlier.

Matt made his Australian debut in 2003 after breaking the 200m freestyle world short course record then found his way onto the Athens 2004 Paralympic team although he missed the medals. He is now a five-time Paralympian, with three gold and seven minor medals to his credit. He also has 13 medals, including three gold, from five world championships.

In 2020, Matt was appointed a member of the Athletes Advisory Commission of the Commonwealth Games Federation. He also published Keeping Your Head Above Water: Inspirational Insights from a Champion of Life which featured childhood photos and motivational tips.

Matt was born at 25 weeks with cerebral palsy and a vision impairment, and has undergone over 50 operations on his brain, heart, lungs, ears and more.

Matt, who has a Bachelor of Business from the Swinburne University of Technology and an MBA from the University of Canberra, announced his retirement from swimming during the Birmingham Games.