Nikki Ayers Retires from Rowing After Paralympic Gold

Nikki Ayers endured 16 surgeries in the space of nine months on her way to the top of the podium at the Paralympics, but there are some challenges the gold medal-winning rower has struggled to face as she looks back over an amazing career.

The 35-year-old took up para-rowing following a devastating rugby union injury which left her with permanent damage to her peroneal nerve and popliteal artery causing her to develop foot drop.

She also developed compartment syndrome from a lack of blood supply to the lower part of her right leg, which led to a series of surgeries to remove dead muscle tissue.

"I thought my whole sporting career was taken away from me and I lost that identity," Ayers said.

Teaming up with Jed Altschwager, Ayers claimed Australia's first para-rowing gold medal at the 2024 Paralympics, winning the PR3 Mixed Double Scull.

Although she reached the pinnacle of that sport, the para-rower recently spoke out about facing ableism, homophobia and sexism throughout her career.

Announcing her retirement, Ayers said she hoped athletes in the future would be given more support and "psychological safety" if facing discrimination.

"I hope they don't have to face the challenges that are purely related to being female," she said.

"I want there to be systemic changes so athletes have a voice … so they can speak up and are believed."

Ayers took time off from rowing earlier this year and also pulled back on her work in healthcare.

Taking a step back helped her realise that retirement from rowing was the right decision.

"Rowing at the elite level and shift work as a nurse and midwife takes over your life," Ayers said.

"It just didn't feel right going back to rowing."

A new purpose

The gold medallist grew up on the NSW far south coast town of Dalmeny, but moved to Canberra to become a nurse and later a midwife.

Ayers performed as a rower for eight years at an elite level, and first became a Paralympian in 2021, finishing fourth at the Tokyo Games.

Ayers has since moved Adelaide, where her former teammate Jed Altschwager, who retired after Paris in 2024, is also based.

"It's nice to catch up and talk about things that aren't to do with rowing and how we can be better, faster and win that gold," she said.

Although the future is unknown, Ayers said she would maintain her fitness, expressing interest in potentially taking up a different sport.

The Brisbane 2032 Paralympics are in the back of her mind.

"Never say never," she said.

"A lot can happen in six years."