ATHLETICS: Michael Roeger was born without the lower half of his right arm and throughout his 20 years he has not let the disability prevent him from achieving whatever he sets his sights on.
Whether it is playing football for his beloved home town Langhorne Creek, socialising with mates, or preparing for the Paralympics in Beijing Michael's focus is unwavering.
He has made the 'A' qualifier in the 1500 metres, which is his main event and ran 4:02.04 at the Victorian Country Championships.
It was the second quickest time in the world in Michael's category T46 (arm amputee).
To show his athletic ability, Michael made the minimum requirement in the 800 metres and 5000 metres.
If these events sit right on the program and are after the 1500, which they are currently on the draft timetable, the athlete from Langhorne Creek could be on the starting line for three events at Beijing.
"My goals for Beijing is to make the final in the 1500 metres and once I achieve this goal it will be anyone's race in the final.
"My first stint on the running scene was back in 1999 doing school cross country.
"That day I ended up running second and made the South Australia team to head to Darwin.
"Ever since that day, I knew I could run and run a long way," Michael said.
Michael is where he is today because of his dedication, commitment and having one goal in mind, to represent his country.
"I will finally have that chance come September.
"But I also wouldn't be where I am today without the support I have had all throughout my life, especially the last couple of years.
"I owe a lot to my father, as he has been a massive support for me and always believed that I could make it to the Paralympics.
"My home town Langhorne Creek, the people in the community have been great and especially Gordie Tonkin, the players and supporters at the footy club.
"They have been amazing on my journey, as have been my running squad from the Hills District Athletic Club, Pete Davis and Marc Fairhead my two main training partners in Adelaide.
"Roger Pedrick our coach, has got my fitness to where it is today, training me up and down those hills around and around the Sinders track on South Terrace," Michael said.
Michael is starting to get back into speed work, recently competing at the Gold Coast in the 3000 and 1500 metres with the 1500 going exactly to plan, finishing first.
"I will be competing up in the Gold Coast on July 4 and 5 in the 800 and 1500 metres to get the legs used to running quick again, then I will have another 1500 race in Brisbane on July 20," Michael said.
On July 25 the Australian distance squad fly out to Europe where the team will be based at the world altitude centre in Faunt Remoux (France).
Since moving up to NSW (Wollongong) to train with the Australian National Distance coach Robbie Bolton, Michael's training regime rapidly increased from running once a day with Fridays off, to training twice a day every day except Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
"The feeling of finishing a session or race where you have just bettered your time or you've never run that session so well, there is no feeling like it.
"I am a very competitive person and knowing that I will be in the mix by September, Beijing is in my sight.
"The adrenaline and nerves of racing and success is what has driven me and will continue to do so and as long as I'm on that start line, I've always got a chance," Michael said determinedly.
Michael is very appreciative of the town he grew up in and it has been a big part of his success.
"Not just in running but in general life the town has been there for me. "The opportunities I have been given in my sport through the Langhorne Creek community has been fantastic from winning a Table Tennis premiership to winning the senior colts grand final in 2005, which was one of the greatest feelings in my life!
"The township and people in the community are so supportive whether it be on the footy field or if I'm belting down to Wellington in 40 degree heat.
"I still get the old horn and big wave out the window, which makes it all worth it," Michael said.