Priya Cooper

Priya Cooper
Cooper in 1996
Personal information
Full namePriya Naree Cooper
NationalityAustralian
Born (1974-10-02) 2 October 1974 (age 50)
South Perth, Western Australia
Sport
SportSwimming
StrokesBackstroke, individual medley, freestyle, butterfly
ClubSwan Hills Swimming Club
Medal record
Event 1st 2nd 3rd
Paralympic Games 9 3 4
World Championships (LC) 8 2 0
Total 17 5 4
Representing  Australia
Women's swimming
Paralympic Games
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 50 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 100 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1992 Barcelona 200 m individual medley
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta 100 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta 400 m freestyle
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta 100 m backstroke
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta 200 m individual medley
Gold medal – first place 1996 Atlanta 4 × 100 m freestyle relay
Gold medal – first place 2000 Sydney 400 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 100 m backstroke
Silver medal – second place 1992 Barcelona 400 m freestyle
Silver medal – second place 1996 Atlanta 50 m freestyle
Bronze medal – third place 1996 Atlanta 100 m butterfly S8
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Sydney 100 m freestyle S8
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Sydney 4 × 100 m freestyle relay 34 pts
Bronze medal – third place 2000 Sydney 4 × 100 m medley relay 34 pts
IPC Swimming World Championships
Gold medal – first place 1994 Valletta 50 m freestyle S8
Gold medal – first place 1994 Valletta 100 m freestyle S8
Gold medal – first place 1994 Valletta 400 m freestyle S8
Gold medal – first place 1994 Valletta 200 m individual medley SM7
Gold medal – first place 1994 Valletta 100 m backstroke S8
Gold medal – first place 1998 Christchurch 100 m freestyle S8
Gold medal – first place 1998 Christchurch 400 m freestyle S8
Gold medal – first place 1998 Christchurch 200 m individual medley SM7
Silver medal – second place 1998 Christchurch 100 m backstroke S8
Silver medal – second place 1998 Christchurch 4 × 100 m freestyle relay Open

Priya Naree Cooper, OAM (born 2 October 1974) is an Australian world champion disabled swimmer, winning nine Paralympic gold medals as well as world records and world championships. She competed in the Australian swimming team at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Summer Paralympics with an S8 classification. She was twice the co-captain of the Australian Paralympic team, including at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney, and carried the Australian flag at the closing ceremonies for the 1992 and 1996 Summer Paralympics. Cooper has cerebral palsy and spends much of her time in a wheelchair. She attended university, working on a course in health management. After she ended her competitive Paralympic career, she became a commentator, and covered the swimming events at the 2002 Commonwealth Games.