The prospect of defending her long jump title in Australian colours is a pinch-yourself moment for Paralympic champion Vanessa Low.
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She thinks of her 15-year-old self, who learned how to run again after losing her legs in a train accident in Germany. She thinks about what life has brought her since.
Low is preparing to compete at her third Paralympics but the Tokyo Games will be her first representing Australia, having been named in the nation's team on Monday.
It'll be her swansong, with the German-born Paralympian hoping to finish on a high and claim back-to-back gold medals in the long jump event.
"It's very special. I think I've definitely learned to appreciate it more knowing how much time and effort I and the people around me put into this journey," Low said.
"When I think of sport, I never thought I'd be the best and I didn't start because I wanted to win medals. I started it because I love running, I was a young kid learning to run again after losing my legs.
"Looking back now after all these years, I have to pinch myself of what's possible. What life I can live and what's possible, so I'm grateful to be here."
Low was one of 10 Para-athletes named in Australia's team for Tokyo, having won the long jump T61-63 at the World Championships in Dubai last year.
She's joined in the team by fellow Canberran Michael Roeger, who will be competing in his fourth Paralympics and holds the T46 marathon record.
"It's great news. I think all of us are pretty nervous in the Paralympic season because there is so much that can happen," Low said.
"Knowing you have to compete and qualify can sometimes be a bit of a burden because there will be injuries and time periods where you're just not at your best.
"Having that bit of security so early in the season gives you more room to work with and focus on being the best you can when the Games come around."
The Tokyo Paralympics are scheduled to begin on August 24 next year after being postponed amid the COVID-19 crisis.
In a normal world they would have already been run and won, but instead the Paralympians have had to tack another 12 months onto an already gruelling four-year cycle.
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Low and her husband Scott Reardon, who competes in the T42 classification 100-metre sprint, will do most of their preparation at the relaid AIS track.
"It's very tricky for everyone for many reasons. I think it's going to be amazing to have Games happening next year hopefully, bringing the world together after being separated for these months," Low said.
"For us, it means we're probably going to stay mostly in Canberra. It's the safest for us now and at the moment, we're really fortunate to be back using the facilities as we wish.
"We aren't going to risk that. We'll stay here and hopefully have some competitions on our home track which is amazing, too, it's the fastest track in Australia, anyway.
"We're really going to use this time to our advantage and hopefully we can be the best we can when Tokyo comes around."
TOKYO PARALYMPIC GAMES
First Australian Para-athletes named: Madison de Rozario, Michael Roeger, Vanessa Low, Eliza Ault-Connell, Rheed McCracken, Jaryd Clifford, Deon Kenzie, Rhiannon Clarke, Sarah Edmiston, Corey Anderson.