It’s an important lesson from the first athlete to represent Australia in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games, in the sport of Table Tennis.

Melissa has Erb’s Palsy after the nerves between her neck and right shoulder were torn when she was born.

Melissa, known to her friends as “Millie”, has limited use of her right arm, with reduced strength and length.  
But that hasn’t stopped her from winning in life. 

At 34, she returns for her second Olympics after making her debut at Rio 2016.

Tapper is a three-time Paralympian winning a silver medal in the class 9-10 women’s teams event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

In the past, she’s shied away from talking about the physical challenges faced daily but Melissa is determined individual who has ‘never wanted to be the same as everyone else, anyway’.

Melissa is proud to have learned how to work hard and overcome adversity - and she wants to inspire others to do the same.

“In my motivational talks I speak about what I’ve learnt along my journey,” Melissa said.

“I also share about the people I’ve come across, about being a female and one with a disability.

“I grew up in the country, playing a sport that’s not mainstream, opportunities that have presented themselves. Making it to the top hasn’t been easy, it’s been an absolute privilege.

“My life is something I am eternally grateful for. If I can encourage females to play sports, that would really mean something.”

“I hope people who hear me speak go away and believe in themselves for an extra moment when they think they can’t do something. If they do, that’s a win.”

Tapper credits her husband Simon Gerarda as being her inspiration.

“He’s been the biggest influence,” Melissa said.

“His father was one of my first coaches, and coached me to my first Olympics in 2016. He’s here for Paris. He’s always been there for the lowest points but the highest as well.”

Melissa will compete in the Women’s Singles and Women’s Team event, with competition to commence on Sunday 28 July at Paris Expo Porte de Versailles.

Table tennis is one of the most popular sports at the Games with more than 350 million viewers expected to watch as Melissa and the other five Australian table tennis athletes take on the world’s best players.

Daniel Lane