Cameron Leslie is one of New Zealand’s most successful and decorated athletes. A dual sport representative for his country in Para swimming and Wheelchair rugby, he has been performing on the international stage for nearly 20 years.

Leslie started his swimming journey with a local learn to swim group for water safety. His family had a pool at home, with Leslie and his siblings always utilising it, so it was crucial that he learnt this important life skill. Leslie didn’t set out to be an international representative, although that would occur as his time in the pool progressed over the years. He progressed from the learn to swim group into swim groups and then the club that was connected to the swim school.

Leslie first represented New Zealand at the senior international level at the 2006 IPC World Championships in Durban alongside Sophie Pascoe and Daniel Sharp, with Simon Mayne the team coach. After nearly giving the sport away, his parents encouraged Leslie to move to Auckland and continue swimming with new coach Mayne, where the two formed a bond that would see them work together as coach and athlete for the next 15 years.

Leslie made his name on the world stage when he won the gold medal at his first Paralympics, winning the SM4 150m individual medley at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. In achieving his first pinnacle medal, he also broke the world record.

Continuing his excellent form into the next four-year cycle, Leslie broke the SM4 150m individual medley short course world record at the World Short Course Championships in Rio. This world record still stands 15 years later.

The following year, Leslie claimed the gold in the same event at the Eindhoven 2010 IPC World Championships.

Appearing at his second Paralympic Games in London 2012, Leslie successfully defended his title in the SM4 150m individual medley, again breaking his world record in the final. Leslie also secured finals in the S5 50m backstroke (fifth) and S5 200m freestyle (sixth) in London.

In 2013, Leslie continued his winning ways by retaining his world champion status in the SM4 150m individual medley and added a bronze in the S5 50m backstroke to his tally from Montreal.

Two years later, Leslie claimed the silver medal in the SM4 150m individual medley at the 2015 IPC World Championships in Glasgow.

Attending the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Leslie achieved an extraordinary feat by going back-to-back-to-back for his third consecutive gold medal in the SM4 150m individual medley, once again breaking the world record in the process.

In early 2019, Leslie was re-classified to be S4/SB4/SM4. He showed his sprinting capability at the London 2019 World Para Swimming Championships by winning gold in the S4 50m backstroke and S4 50m freestyle. The following year he attended the New Zealand Short Course Swimming Championships in Hamilton following the Covid-19 lockdowns, where he broke three world records across the five days of racing in the S4 50m freestyle, S4 50m backstroke and SM4 100m individual medley. All three records are still standing.

On the back of his two gold medals in London 2019 and three world records in 2020, Leslie was primed for his fourth Paralympic Games in Tokyo. However, he opted not to attend the Games to be home for the birth of his second child.

In 2022, Leslie made the move to be coached by Tom Onley at his local Whangārei Swim Club, being permanently based up in Northland.

Leslie immediately showed he would still be a force to be reckoned with, breaking the S4 50m freestyle world record at the 2022 New Zealand Swimming Championships. With integration of Para Swimming programme into Swimming New Zealand occurring in the same year, Leslie made his debut as Aquablack #272 at the Madeira 2022 Para Swimming World Championships. Leslie dazzled again, breaking his S4 50m freestyle world record again in the heats before he claimed the silver medal in the final. He won gold in the S4 100m freestyle and added two additional silver medals in the S4 50m backstroke and S4 200m freestyle.

His achievements in the pool and as co-captain of the New Zealand Wheelchair Rugby team at respective World Championships in 2022 saw him one of six finalists for the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability. His performances in the pool also saw him win his first Swimming New Zealand International Para Swimmer and Domestic Para Swimmer of the Year awards.

It was another outstanding campaign for Leslie at the Manchester 2023 Para Swimming World Championships, where he won a gold (S4 50m backstroke), two silver (S4 50m freestyle and S4 100m freestyle) and a bronze (S4 200m freestyle). These results saw him recognised for his second consecutive Swimming New Zealand International Para Swimmer of the Year award.

In early 2024, Leslie received his first Halberg Award as the Para Athlete of the Year in recognition of his achievements in the pool and court across his two sports the previous year.

Leslie secured qualification for his fourth Paralympic Games at the 2024 New Zealand Swimming Championships in Hawke’s Bay. He will race in four events in Paris having won medals in each of them at the previous two world championships. He will lead the New Zealand Paralympic Team in Paris, alongside long jumper Anna Grimaldi, as flag bearer at the opening ceremony.

An inspiration to the swimming community and wider New Zealand public, Leslie lives by his motto “Do It”.

Outside of the pool, Leslie works for Swimming New Zealand as the Disability & Para Swimming Participation Manager where he leads the continual growth of the programme that opens more doors for kids with a disability to be active in the water and support those who wish to be competitive swimmers.

With an extensive list of achievements in the sporting arena and working career, he remains a humble family man with wife Emma and their three kids on their lifestyle property in Northland.

💥 Selected as flag bearer for his fourth Paralympic Games at Paris 2024

Paris 2024 marks Leslie's fourth Paralympic Games, after competing at Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016. He has been given the honour of being flag bearer at the opening ceremony of the Games, alongside fellow Paralympian Anna Grimaldi.

🥇 Three-time Paralympic champion

Leslie won three consecutive Paralympic titles in the SM4 150m individual medley across Beijing 2008, London 2012 and Rio 2016, and made nine Paralympic finals.

💥 Currently holds four world records

Leslie currently holds the world record in the following four short course events: S4 50m freestyle, S4 50m backstroke, SM4 100m individual medley, SM4 150m individual medley.

🥇 14-time Para Swimming World Championships medallist

Across seven World Championships, Leslie has stood on the podium 14 times, with six gold, six silver, and two bronze medals making up his collection, and made 21 world championships finals.

🏆 2024 Para Athlete of the Year - Halberg Awards

Leslie was recognised for his achievements in the pool and as co-captain of the New Zealand Wheel Blacks with the Para Athlete of the Year at the 2024 Halberg Awards.

💥 Represents New Zealand in Wheelchair rugby

Outside of the pool, Leslie also represents New Zealand in Wheelchair rugby as co-captain of the Wheel Blacks.