Wodonga swimmer Nathan Pearce has smashed seconds off his personal best time to claim silver at the Special Olympics in Abu Dhabi.
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The 18-year-old, who could barely swim three years ago, carved nine seconds off his previous best time to claim silver in the 50-metre breaststroke at the World Games, March 8 to 21.
He also claimed a bronze medal in the 4x50-metre relay team and knocked eight seconds off his best time in the 50-metre freestyle event for a fourth placing.
Proud foster mum Judith McKeown messaged The Border Mail from the United Arab Emirates where she cheered on Nathan.
She had previously said Nathan was a "non swimmer" when he came to stay with the family but he took to the sport like a duck to water.
Mrs McKeown said Nathan had worked hard on his fitness and swimming technique in the lead-up to the World Games.
"Nathan is a technically correct swimmer - if you tell him how to do something he can do it," she said.
"He has the brain for it."
Australia was represented by 106 athletes in 11 sports at this year's 2019 Special Olympics.
They took home 42 gold medals, 44 silver and 55 bronze medals.
But this event, held every four years, is about much more than placings.
Speaking as the record-breaking sporting and humanitarian event drew to a close, officials said its impact would be be felt by communities across the world for years to come.
Event chairman Dr Timothy Shriver said the UAE's contribution to the Special Olympics movement would spearhead the drive towards shared goals of inclusivity.
"As we come to the end of the World Games, it is the beginning of the next part of our movement's journey - a journey that started 50 years ago," Dr Shriver said.
"A journey to a world without discrimination against people with intellectual disabilities.
"Where all sport is unified sport. Where all schools are unified schools and where the value of full inclusion is the accepted value of the next generation of leaders."
Looking ahead to 2021, when the Special Olympics winter games will travel to Sweden before arriving in Berlin for the 2023 World Games, Dr Shriver said the Abu Dhabi event would inspire athletes and organisers to reach greater levels of achievement.
