{{short description|Australian swimmer and politician|bot=PearBOT 5}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}} {{Use Australian English|date=September 2012}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = Matt Cowdrey | honorific_suffix = OAM | image = 120411 - Matthew Cowdrey - 3b - 2012 Team processing.jpg | caption = 2012 Australian Paralympic team portrait of Cowdrey | birth_name = Matthew John Cowdrey | nicknames = | parliament = South Australian | constituency_MP = Colton | term_start = 17 March 2018 | term_end = 21 March 2026 | predecessor = Paul Caica | successor = Aria Bolkus | party = Liberal Party | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1988|12|22}} | birth_place = Adelaide, South Australia | death_date = | death_place = | module = {{Infobox swimmer | child = yes | classification = S9, SB8, SM9 | strokes = Freestyle, Backstroke, Butterfly, Medley | club = Marion | height = {{convert|182|cm|ftin|abbr=on}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Matthew Cowdrey |url=http://www.uncletobys.com.au/champions/matthew-cowdrey/ |website=uncletobys.com.au |publisher=Uncle Tobys |access-date=1 August 2014 |archive-date=26 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726104437/http://www.uncletobys.com.au/champions/matthew-cowdrey/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> | weight = | medaltemplates = {{MedalCount |Paralympic Games|13|7|3 |World Championships (LC)|16|3|2 |World Championships (SC)|7|2|0 |Commonwealth Games|3|1|0 |'''Total'''|'''39'''|'''13'''|'''5''' }} {{MedalSport | Men's paralympic swimming}} {{MedalCountry | {{AUS}} }} {{MedalCompetition | Paralympic Games}} {{MedalGold | 2004 Athens | 100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2004 Athens | 200 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2004 Athens | 4×100 m medley}} {{MedalGold | 2008 Beijing | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2008 Beijing | 100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2008 Beijing | 100 m backstroke S9}} {{MedalGold | 2008 Beijing | 200 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2008 Beijing | 4×100 m medley}} {{MedalGold | 2012 London | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2012 London | 100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2012 London | 100 m backstroke S9}} {{MedalGold | 2012 London | 200 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2012 London | 4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalSilver | 2004 Athens | 100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalSilver | 2004 Athens | 4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalSilver | 2008 Beijing | 100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalSilver | 2008 Beijing | 400 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalSilver | 2008 Beijing | 4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalSilver | 2012 London | {{nowrap|100 m breaststroke SB8}}}} {{MedalSilver | 2012 London | 100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalBronze | 2004 Athens | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalBronze | 2004 Athens | 400 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalBronze | 2012 London | 4×100 m medley}} {{MedalCompetition | World Championships (LC)}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Durban | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Durban | 100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Durban | 100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Durban | 200 medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Durban | 4×100 m medley}} {{MedalGold | {{nowrap|2010 Eindhoven}} | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2010 Eindhoven | 100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2010 Eindhoven | 100 m backstroke S9}} {{MedalGold | 2010 Eindhoven | 200 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2010 Eindhoven | 4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalGold | 2010 Eindhoven | 4×100 m medley}} {{MedalGold | 2013 Montreal | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2013 Montreal | 100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2013 Montreal | 100 m backstroke S9}} {{MedalGold | 2013 Montreal | 200 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2013 Montreal | 4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalSilver | 2006 Durban | 100 m backstroke S9}} {{MedalSilver | 2006 Durban | 4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalSilver | 2010 Eindhoven | 100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalBronze | 2006 Durban | 400 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalBronze | 2013 Montreal | 100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalCompetition | World Championships (SC)}} {{MedalGold | {{nowrap|2009 Rio de Janeiro}} |50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|100 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalGold | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|100 m backstroke S9}} {{MedalGold | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|100 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|200 m medley SM9}} {{MedalGold | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|4×100 m freestyle}} {{MedalGold | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|4×100 m medley}} {{MedalSilver | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|100 m breaststroke SB9}} {{MedalSilver | 2009 Rio de Janeiro|100 m butterfly S9}} {{MedalCompetition | Commonwealth Games}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Melbourne | 50 m freestyle EAD}} {{MedalGold | 2006 Melbourne | 100 m freestyle EAD}} {{MedalGold | 2010 Delhi | 50 m freestyle S9}} {{MedalSilver | 2014 Glasgow | 100 m freestyle S9}} }} }}
'''Matthew John Cowdrey''' (born 22 December 1988) is an Australian politician and Paralympic swimmer. He presently holds numerous world records. He has a congenital amputation of his left arm; it stops just below the elbow. Cowdrey competed at the 2004 Paralympic Games, 2006 Commonwealth Games, 2008 Paralympic Games, 2010 Commonwealth Games, and the 2012 Paralympic Games. After the 2012 London Games, he is the most successful Australian Paralympian, having won thirteen Paralympic gold medals and twenty three Paralympic medals in total. On 10 February 2015, Cowdrey announced his retirement from swimming.<ref name=retirement>{{cite web |title=Australia's most successful Paralympian announces his retirement |url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/news/australias-most-successful-paralympian-announces-retirement |website=Australian Paralympic Committee News |date=10 February 2015 |access-date=10 February 2015}}</ref>
Cowdrey contested and won the seat of Colton at the 2018 state election in South Australia for the Liberal Party.<ref name="Richardson">{{Cite web |url=http://indaily.com.au/news/politics/2017/03/28/internal-tensions-escalate-as-libs-block-challenge-to-gardner/ |title=Internal tensions escalate as Libs block challenge to Gardner |last=Richardson |first=Tom |date=28 March 2017 |website=InDaily |access-date=1 May 2017}}</ref> In June 2025, Cowdrey announced that he would not recontest Colton at the 2026 state election.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2025-07-01 |title=As the 2026 state election nears, who will run for the SA Liberal Party? |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-07-02/state-election-2026-analysis/105483046 |access-date=2025-12-06 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}</ref>
==Personal== Cowdrey was born on 22 December 1988<ref name=apc>{{cite web |access-date=6 February 2012 |publisher=Australian Paralympic Committee |title=Matthew Cowdrey |url=http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/matthew-cowdrey-0 |archive-date=7 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120207101422/http://www.paralympic.org.au/team/matthew-cowdrey-0 |url-status=dead }}</ref> with part of his arm missing<ref name=kangaroo>{{cite news |newspaper=The Age |date=21 September 2004 |location=Melbourne, Victoria |access-date=12 November 2011 |url=http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/09/21/1095651260331.html?from=storyrhs |title=Australian teenagers enjoy big day in pool |first=Jessica |last=Halloran}}</ref> due to a congenital amputation.<ref name=apc/> He attended Endeavour College<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.varsitylakes.com.au/llweb/delfin/main.nsf/toprint/news_20060331 |title=Mawson Lakes student wins 2 Commonwealth Golds |publisher=Varsity Lakes |date=31 March 2006 |access-date=17 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20121230220519/http://www.varsitylakes.com.au/llweb/delfin/main.nsf/toprint/news_20060331 |archive-date=30 December 2012}}</ref> and played basketball when he was younger.<ref name=swimming-au>{{cite web |publisher=Swimming Australia |access-date=8 May 2013 |title=Matthew Cowdrey |url=http://swimming.org.au/profiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=profile&ProfileID=1061012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130501005031/http://swimming.org.au/profiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=Profile&ProfileID=1061012 |archive-date=1 May 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He moved to Canberra and started swimming for the Australian Institute of Sport, while continuing to represent the Norwood Swimming Club of Adelaide on the club level.<ref name=swimming-au/> In 2011, he also represented Kawana Waters Swimming Club.<ref name=swimming-au2>{{cite web |publisher=Swimming Australia |access-date=13 November 2011 |title=Matthew Cowdrey: Latest Results |url=http://swimming.org.au/profiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=ProfileResults&ProfileID=1061012 |location=Australia |year=2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111122025049/http://swimming.org.au/profiles/index.cfm?fuseaction=ProfileResults&ProfileID=1061012 |archive-date=22 November 2011 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He finished his career swimming for the Marion Swimming Club.<ref name=swimming-au/>
In April 2015, Cowdrey graduated from the University of Adelaide with a double degree in law and media.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.unisport.com.au/News/Pages/BrightfutureforMatthewCowdrey.aspx |title=Dual university and sport career ensures bright future for Matthew Cowdrey |publisher=Australian University Sport |date=13 February 2015 |access-date=30 April 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227133902/http://unisport.com.au/News/Pages/BrightfutureforMatthewCowdrey.aspx |archive-date=27 February 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=homfray>{{cite news |last1=Homfray |first1=Reece |title=Golden goal proved ultimate motivation for champion South Australian swimmer Matthew Cowdrey |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/sport/more-sports/golden-goal-proved-ultimate-motivation-for-champion-south-australian-swimmer-matthew-cowdrey/story-fnii0hmp-1227218212509 |access-date=18 February 2015 |work=The Advertiser |date=13 February 2015}}</ref> In 2013, he undertook a three-month internship with U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.<ref name=advertiser>{{cite news |title=Paralympian Matt Cowdrey takes up internship with US congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen in Washington |url=http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/paralympian-matt-cowdrey-takes-up-internship-with-us-congresswoman-ileana-roslehtinen-in-washington/story-fni6uo1m-1226788461031 |access-date=18 February 2015 |work=The Advertiser |date=22 December 2012}}</ref> In 2015, at the time of his retirement from swimming, he was working as a management consultant for KPMG in Adelaide.<ref name=homfray/>
thumb|right|Cowdrey at the 2012 London Paralympics
==Swimming== Cowdrey competes in the International Paralympic Committee's S9 (freestyle, backstroke and butterfly,) SB8 (breaststroke), and SM9 (individual medley) classifications,<ref name="IPC">{{cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/matthew-cowdrey |title=Matthew Cowdrey |website=Paralympic.org |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |access-date=6 October 2012}}</ref> which comprise swimmers with a severe leg weakness, swimmers with slight coordination problems and swimmers with one limb loss.<ref name=understanding>{{cite web |title=Understanding Classification: A Guide to the Classification Systems used in Paralympic Sports |first=Jane |last=Buckley |year=2011 |access-date=12 November 2011 |url=http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/doc.php?ID=38 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110411023150/http://www.sportingwheelies.org.au/doc.php?ID=38 |archive-date=11 April 2011}}</ref> Cowdrey started swimming when he was five years old, and doing so competitively soon after in 1994.<ref name=apc/> He broke his first Australian open record when he was eleven years old,<ref name=apc/> and set his first world record at the age of thirteen.<ref name=apc/>
===2004=== Cowdrey was one of the youngest Australian competitors at the 2004 Paralympics.<ref name=kangaroo/> At the 2004 Games, he won three gold medals in the men's 4×100-metre medley relay, the 100-metre freestyle S9, and the 200-metre individual medley SM9,<ref name="IPC"/> for which he received a Medal of the Order of Australia.<ref name="oam">{{cite web |url=https://honours.pmc.gov.au/honours/awards/1057806 |title=Cowdrey, Matthew John |publisher=It's an Honour |access-date=2 February 2011}}</ref> Cowdrew also won silver medals in the 100-metre butterfly S9 and the 4×100-metre freestyle relay, and bronze medals in the 50-metre freestyle S9 and the 400-metre freestyle S9.<ref name="IPC"/>
===2005=== At the 2005 Australian Open, Cowdrey set two world records en route to winning seven gold medals and two bronze medals.<ref name=only-male>{{cite web |publisher=South Australian Amputee Golf Association |access-date=12 November 2011 |title=Matt Cowdrey |url=http://www.saaga.org.au/profiles/Matt_Cowdrey/ |location=South Australia, Australia |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331221119/http://www.saaga.org.au/profiles/Matt_Cowdrey/ |archive-date=31 March 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===2006=== At the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games Trials, Cowdrey set world records and won gold medals in four events: the 200-metre individual medley mixed disability classification, the 100-metre backstroke mixed disability classification, the 50-metre backstroke mixed disability classification, and the 50-metre butterfly mixed disability classification. Additionally, he won gold medals in two other events: the 100-metre freestyle mixed disability classification and the 50-metre freestyle mixed disability classification.<ref name=only-male/> At the 2006 Commonwealth Games Trials – Team Qualification Races, he won a gold medal and set a world record in the 100-metre freestyle Elite Athlete with a Disability (EAD) event, and won a gold medal in the 50-metre freestyle (EAD) event.<ref name=only-male/>
Cowdrey competed at the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, Victoria, where he set two world records and won gold medals in the 50-metre freestyle and 100-metre freestyle events.<ref name=apc/> He was Australia's only male non-relay individual swimming gold medalist in the 2006 Commonwealth Games.<ref name="only-male"/> At the 2006 World Championships, he set three world records while winning three gold medals, two silver medals and bronze.<ref name=apc/> In 2008, at the Australian Swimming Championships, he won gold medals four events:the 50-metre freestyle, 100-metre freestyle, 100-metre backstroke and 100-metre butterfly. At those same games, he won two silver medals in the 200-metre individual medley and 400-metre freestyle events.<ref name=only-male/> These Games had limited opportunities for Paralympic swimmers as not all events were on the event programme.<ref name=the-age-2>{{cite news |date=9 March 2006 |access-date=12 November 2011 |newspaper=The Age |location=Melbourne, Victoria |url=http://www.theage.com.au/news/swimming/pools-of-positive-thought/2006/03/08/1141701575488.html |title=Pools of positive thought}}</ref>
At the 2006 IPC Swimming World Championships, in Durban, South Africa, Cowdrey won gold medals in five events: the 50-metre freestyle S9, the 100-metre freestyle S9, the 100-metre butterfly S9, the 200-metre individual medley SM9, and the 4×100-metre medley relay (34 points). He also won silver medals in the 100-metre backstroke S9 and the 4×100-metre freestyle relay (34 points), and a bronze medal in the 400-metre freestyle S9.<ref name=cowdreyipc>{{cite web |title=Matthew Cowdrey |url=http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/TheASP.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=-1&personid=606131 |work=International Paralympic Committee website |access-date=19 August 2013 |archive-date=4 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140104224514/http://ipc.infostradasports.com/asp/lib/TheASP.asp?pageid=8937&sportid=-1&personid=606131 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2008=== thumb|right|Cowdrey, gold medallist, at the 2012 London Paralympics At the 2008 Summer Paralympics, Cowdrey picked up five gold medals, winning the 50-metre freestyle S9, 100-metre freestyle S9, 100-metre backstroke S9, 200-metre individual medley-SM9, and 4×100-metre medley relay events, all in world-record time.<ref name="IPC"/><ref name=apc/> He won three silver medals in the 100-metre butterfly S9, 400-metre freestyle S9, and 4×100-metre freestyle relay events.<ref name="IPC"/> He also carried Australia's flag during the closing ceremonies for the Games.<ref name=swimming-au/> For his performance at the Games, Cowdrey won Best Male at the Paralympic Sport Awards.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/press-release/paralympic-awards-winners-honoured-kuala-lumpur |title=Paralympic Awards Winners Honoured in Kuala Lumpur |date=21 November 2009 |publisher=International Paralympic Committee}}</ref>
===2009=== At the 2009 IPC Short Course World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Cowdrey won seven gold medals and two silver medals.<ref name=swimming-au/><ref name=cowdreyipc/> In 2009, he competed in his first international competition against able-bodied swimmers in Tucson, Arizona.<ref name=first-able>{{cite web |publisher=Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre |first=Matthew |last=Cowrey |access-date=13 November 2011 |date=1 June 2009 |location=Adelaide, South Australia |url=http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/events/2009events/MatthewCowdrey_presentation.pdf |title=Presentation by Matthew Cowdrey OAM, SA Young Australian of the Year 2009 and distinguished Paralympian}} {{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
===2010=== At the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships, Cowdrey, who was classified as an S9 swimmer, won six gold medals and one silver medal. One of the medals was in the men's 4×100-metre relay race.<ref>{{cite journal |last=Wake |first=Rebekka |title=Golden Glow Over Australian Swimming |journal=Australian Paralympian |publisher=Australian Paralympic Committee |date=September 2010 |location=Australia |volume=2}}</ref> At the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games, he won a gold medal in the 50-metre freestyle S9 event in a world record time of 25.33 seconds, which is still standing as of February 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org/sdms/web/sw/record.pdf.sw.php?xml=0&rct=RCTWR&dis=LC&gen=M |title=IPC Swimming World Records Long Course |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |access-date=2 February 2012 |format=PDF |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120912045453/http://www.paralympic.org/sdms/web/sw/record.pdf.sw.php?xml=0&rct=RCTWR&dis=LC&gen=M |archive-date=12 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2010-10-06/cowdrey-sets-record-in-golden-run/2288720 |title=Cowdrey sets record in golden run |publisher=ABC News |date=7 October 2010 |access-date=2 February 2012}}</ref>
===2011=== In April 2011, he participated in the Telstra Australian Swimming Championships.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.clubsonline.com.au/uploads/swimresults/National/2011AUS/index.htm |title=Meet Results: 2011 Telstra Australian Swimming Championship |publisher=IMG Sports Technology Group |access-date=28 October 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130428031322/http://www.clubsonline.com.au/uploads/swimresults/National/2011AUS/index.htm |archive-date=28 April 2013}}</ref> In July 2011, he participated at the Australian Short Course Championships.<ref name=swimming-au2/> In August 2011, he participated in the Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships.<ref name=swimming-au2/> In October 2011, he participated at the 2011 Swimmeroo QLD Long Course.<ref name=swimming-au2/> In December, he competed in the Can-Am Swimming Open. A week before the Can-Am Swimming Open, Cowdrey was reclassified for breaststroke from SB9 to SB8.<ref name=ipc-class>{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org/Media_Centre/News/Sport_News/2011_12_12_a.html |title=Sport News |publisher=Paralympic.org |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=1 January 2012}}</ref> He won a gold medal in the SB8 100-metre breaststroke, with the fourth fastest time posted for the event during 2011 at 1:12.85.<ref name=ipc-class/>
===2012=== thumb|right|Cowdrey at the 2012 London Paralympics At the 2012 Summer Paralympics, Cowdrey won gold medals in the 100-metre backstroke S9, 50-metre freestyle S9, 100-metre freestyle S9, 200-metre individual medley SM9, and 4×100-metre freestyle relay (34 points). He also won silver medals in the 100-metre butterfly S9 and 100-metre breaststroke SB8, and a bronze medal in the 4×100-metre medley relay (34 points).<ref name="IPC"/> Cowdrey became Australia's most successful Paralympian with his victory in the men's 50-metre freestyle S9 event at the 2012 London Games, winning his 11th gold medal and 20th medal overall and surpassing Tim Sullivan in gold medal count and Kingsley Bugarin in overall medal count.<ref>{{cite news |last=Foreman |first=Glenn |title=Matt Cowdrey becomes Australia's greatest Paralympian with 11th gold medal |url=http://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sport/matt-cowdrey-becomes-australias-greatest-paralympian-with-11th-gold-medal/story-fndukor0-1226466064367 |access-date=5 September 2012 |newspaper=News Limited Network |date=6 September 2012 |archive-date=6 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906054647/http://www.news.com.au/sport/more-sport/matt-cowdrey-becomes-australias-greatest-paralympian-with-11th-gold-medal/story-fndukor0-1226466064367 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===2013=== In June 2013, Cowdrey confirmed that he would aim to compete at the 2016 Rio Games. He was back living in Glenelg and training at the South Australian Aquatic Centre.<ref>{{cite news |last=Morgan |first=Kym |title=Rio Paralympics bid to build Matt Cowdrey's legend |url=http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/more-sports/rio-paralympics-bid-to-build-matt-cowdrey8217s-legend/story-fnii0hmo-1226662098537 |access-date=6 August 2013 |newspaper=The Advertiser |location=Adelaide |date=11 June 2013}}</ref> Competing at the 2013 IPC Swimming World Championships in Montreal, Cowdrey won five gold medals in the 50-metre freestyle S9, 100-metre freestyle S9, 100-metre backstroke S9, 200-metre individual medley SM9, and 4×100-metre freestyle relay (34 points), and a bronze medal in the 100-metre butterfly S9.<ref name=montreal1>{{cite web |title=Golden start for the Australian swim team in Montreal |url=https://bathurst.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=14268&id=2 |work=Swimming Australia News |date=13 August 2013 |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923003230/https://bathurst.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=14268&id=2 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=montreal2>{{cite web |title=A world record and more gold medals for Australia in Montreal |url=https://newenglandnwnsw.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=14266&id=2 |work=Swimming Australia News |date=14 August 2013 |access-date=14 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170923095516/https://newenglandnwnsw.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=14266&id=2 |archive-date=23 September 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=montreal4>{{cite web |title=Men's relay team back it up in Montreal |url=https://vicentre.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=14261&id=2 |work=Swimming Australia News |date=16 August 2013 |access-date=16 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312132320/https://vicentre.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=14261&id=2 |archive-date=12 March 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=montreal7>{{cite web |title=Twenty-seven medals for the Australian swim team in Montreal |url=http://www.swimming.org.au/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsItem&NewsID=38220 |work=Swimming Australia News |date=19 August 2013 |access-date=20 August 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110221422/http://www.swimming.org.au/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=NewsItem&NewsID=38220 |archive-date=10 November 2013}}</ref>
===2014=== At the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, Cowdrey won a silver medal in the 100-metre freestyle S9.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-07-25/australia27s-glasgow-silver-medals/5623138 |title=Commonwealth Games: Recap all of the silver medals Australia has won in Glasgow |work=ABC News |date=25 July 2014 |access-date=25 July 2014}}</ref>
===Retirement=== On announcing his retirement from swimming on 10 February 2015, Cowdrey stated: "I have been fortunate to have achieved more than I could ever have dreamed of, and more than I set out to achieve, and more importantly I have enjoyed every minute of my time on the Australian swim team."<ref name=retirement/> Glenn Tasker, president of the Australian Paralympic Committee, said, "It has been an absolute privilege to watch Matthew develop from the quiet 15-year-old kid who competed at his first Paralympics in 2004, into one of the greats of Australian Paralympic sport. He has become an outstanding ambassador for the Paralympic movement, a leader of the Paralympic swim team and our most successful athlete ever."<ref name=retirement/>
==Post-swimming career== Cowdrey was appointed as the team general manager of the Australian team for the 2015 Commonwealth Youth Games held in Samoa and the 2017 Commonwealth Youth Games held in The Bahamas.<ref name=comgames>{{cite web |title=Matt Cowdrey appointed as Team General Manager 2015 Australian Commonwealth Youth Games for Samoa |url=http://www.commonwealthgames.org.au/uploads/news/1/77/nCWgLs7jEYZ7u.pdf |website=Australian Commonwealth Games Association website |date=10 March 2015 |access-date=19 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124816/http://www.commonwealthgames.org.au/uploads/news/1/77/nCWgLs7jEYZ7u.pdf |archive-date=2 April 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
In 2017, Cowdrey was preselected to run for the Liberal Party in the Labor-held seat of Colton at the 2018 state election in South Australia.<ref name="Richardson" /> He was re-elected as the member for Colton at the 2022 state election despite the election resulting in the Liberal Party losing Government and returning to Opposition. Cowdrey actually won enough primary votes to retain the seat outright despite the Liberals' collapse in Adelaide. He is the first opposition member for Colton, a noted bellwether seat. Counting its time as Henley Beach, Colton had been held by the government party since its creation in 1970.
In April 2022, he was promoted to the Opposition frontbench as Shadow Treasurer, he also served as Shadow Minister for Sport during his second Parliamentary term.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-21/sa-liberal-party-unveils-shadow-cabinet/101005908 |title='Energy, enthusiasm, experience': SA Liberals unveil shadow cabinet after crushing election loss |newspaper=ABC News |date=21 April 2022}}</ref><ref name="SA parl">{{Cite SA-parl |pid=5377 |name=Matthew (Matt) John Cowdrey OAM |former= |access-date=12 November 2022}}</ref> In June 2025, Cowdrey announced that he would not recontest Colton at 2026 state election.
Cowdrey was appointed Deputy Chef de Mission for the Australian Team at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.<ref>{{Cite web |last=cgaadmin |date=2025-05-27 |title=Cowdrey appointed Deputy Chef de Mission for Glasgow 2026 {{!}} Commonwealth Games Australia |url=https://commonwealthgames.com.au/cowdrey-appointed-deputy-chef-de-mission-for-glasgow-2026/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |website=commonwealthgames.com.au |language=en-AU}}</ref>
In December 2025, Paralympics Australia announced that Cowdrey was appointed to Head of Para-sport System and Partnerships starting in March 2026.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zoe |date=2025-12-04 |title=Paralympic Great To Lead Para-Sport System And Partnerships {{!}} Paralympics Australia |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/2025/12/paralympic-great-to-lead-para-sport-system-and-partnerships/ |access-date=2025-12-06 |language=en-AU}}</ref>
== Recognition == thumb|Cowdrey receiving a special presentation at the 2012 Australian Paralympian of the Year ceremony, in recognition of his achievement of winning more Paralympic gold medals than any other Australian In 2004, at the Australian Paralympian of the Year Awards, he was named the Young Paralympian of the Year.<ref name=only-male/> In 2006, Cowdrey won the Commonwealth Sports Award in the category of male Elite Athlete with a Disability (EAD).<ref name=only-male/> Swimming Australia named him their Swimmer of the Year with a Disability for four years in a row, from 2004 to 2007.<ref name=only-male/> He was also named to Swimming Australia's All-Star Swim Team in 2006 and 2007.<ref name=only-male/> Swimming World Magazine has named him their "World Swimmer of the Year with a Disability."<ref name=only-male/> In 2009, he was named the Young South Australian of the Year.<ref name=young-sa>{{cite web |access-date=13 November 2011 |url=http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/events/2009events/ADCSA_discussion.asp |publisher=Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre |title=What matters in Australia today: Four perspectives |date=1 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100323062410/http://www.unisa.edu.au/hawkecentre/events/2009events/ADCSA_discussion.asp |archive-date=23 March 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2011, he was inducted into the Australian Institute of Sport's "Best of the Best".<ref>[http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/releases/story_461180_minister_announces_australian_institute_of_sports_best_of_the_best_athletes Minister announces Australian Institute of Sport Best of the Best Athletes] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120322052303/http://www.ausport.gov.au/news/releases/story_461180_minister_announces_australian_institute_of_sports_best_of_the_best_athletes |date=22 March 2012 }}</ref> Cowdrey was a finalist for the 2012 Australian Paralympian of the Year.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8559352 |title=Freney favourite to win top Paralympian |agency=Australian Associated Press |date=5 November 2012 |access-date=5 November 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201192927/http://wwos.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8559352 |archive-date=1 February 2014}}</ref>
In 2012, The South Australia Aquatic & Leisure Centre decided to name its main competition pool after Cowdrey.<ref>{{cite news |last=Williamson |first=Brett |title=Cowdrey honoured with Marion pool naming |url=http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2012/09/26/3598045.htm |access-date=6 August 2013 |work=ABC News |date=26 September 2012}}</ref> The City of Salisbury gave him the keys to the city in 2013.<ref name=keys>{{cite news |last1=Schultz |first1=Duane |title=Salisbury swimming legend Matthew Cowdrey given key to the city at Endeavour College |url=http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/salisbury-swimming-legend-matthew-cowdrey-given-key-to-the-city-at-endeavour-college/story-fnii5yv7-1226717444848 |access-date=10 February 2015 |work=News Review Messenger |date=12 September 2013}}</ref> In October 2014, he was inducted into the Path of Champions at the Sydney Olympic Park Aquatic Centre.<ref>{{cite web |title=Olympic and World Champion swimmers inducted into Path of Champions |url=http://www.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=53949&id=2 |website=Swimming Australia News |date=21 October 2014 |access-date=5 November 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105020256/http://www.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=53949&id=2 |archive-date=5 November 2014}}</ref> In 2016, he was awarded Speedo Services to the Australian Swim Team at the Swimming Australia Awards.<ref>{{cite web |title=Swimming Australia Gala Dinner 2016 |url=http://www.swimming.org.au/NewsCentral/Gold-medallists-scoop-the-pool-at-Swimming%E2%80%99s-Gala.aspx |website=Swimming Australia website |access-date=6 November 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170316025804/http://www.swimming.org.au/NewsCentral/Gold-medallists-scoop-the-pool-at-Swimming%E2%80%99s-Gala.aspx |archive-date=16 March 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref> He is an inductee of the Swimming South Australia Hall of Fame.<ref>{{cite web |title=SwimmingSA Hall of Fame |url=https://sa.swimming.org.au/visageimages/Hall_of_Fame_Images/SwimmingSA%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20-%20Website.pdf |website=Swimming South Australia |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202024646/https://sa.swimming.org.au/visageimages/Hall_of_Fame_Images/SwimmingSA%20Hall%20of%20Fame%20-%20Website.pdf |archive-date=2 February 2017}}</ref> In 2019, he was inducted into Sport Australia Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://sahof.org.au/next-generation-of-sporting-stars-to-get-gold-medal-advice/ |title=Medal collector Matt Cowdrey to join Para-sport greats in Sport Australia Hall of Fame |website=Sport Australia Hall of Fame website |date=15 September 2019 |access-date=27 September 2020}}</ref> In 2022, he was inducted into the Paralympics Australia Hall of Fame.<ref name="pa2022">{{Cite web |date=9 June 2022 |title=De Rozario And Tudhope Earn Top Honours at Paralympics Australia Awards |url=https://www.paralympic.org.au/2022/06/de-rozario-and-tudhope-earn-top-honours-at-paralympics-australia-awards/ |access-date=10 June 2022 |website=Paralympics Australia}}</ref> In 2025, he was inducted into Swimming Australia Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |title=McKeown, Simpson, Johnson and Pallister claim top gongs at Swim Aus Awards |url=https://www.swimming.org.au/articles/mckeown-simpson-johnson-and-pallister-claim-top-gongs-at-swim-aus-awards |access-date=2025-11-16 |website=Swimming Australia}}</ref>
==References== {{reflist|30em}} {{Portal|Australia|Sports}}
== External links == * {{CGA profile|matthew-cowdrey|Matthew Cowdrey}} * {{2010 Commonwealth Games profile|606131|Matthew Cowdrey}} * {{2006 Commonwealth Games profile|109859|Matthew John Cowdrey}} * {{IPC athlete|matthew-cowdrey|Matthew Cowdrey|old_id=606131}} * {{IPC athlete|matt-cowdrey|Matt Cowdrey}} * {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304043058/http://www.swimming.org.au/article.php?group_id=7965 |date=4 March 2016 |title=Matt Cowdrey at Swimming Australia}} * {{Twitter}}
{{s-start}} {{s-ach|aw}} {{succession box|title=World Disabled Swimmer of the Year|before=Wang Xiaofu<br />Daniel Dias|after=Daniel Dias<br />Daniel Dias|years=2007, 2008<br />2012}} {{s-par|au-sa}} {{s-bef|before=Paul Caica}} {{s-ttl|title=Member for Colton | years=2018–2026}} {{s-aft|after=Aria Bolkus}} {{s-end}}
{{2012 Australian Paralympic Team}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cowdrey, Matthew}} Category:Congenital amputees Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Australia Category:Commonwealth Games swimmers for Australia Category:Commonwealth Games gold medallists in swimming Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists for Australia Category:Commonwealth Games silver medallists in swimming Category:Paralympic swimmers for Australia Category:Swimmers at the 2004 Summer Paralympics Category:Swimmers at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Category:Swimmers at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Category:Swimmers at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Category:Swimmers at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Category:Swimmers at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Category:Medalists at the 2004 Summer Paralympics Category:Medalists at the 2008 Summer Paralympics Category:Medalists at the 2012 Summer Paralympics Category:Paralympic gold medalists for Australia Category:Paralympic silver medalists for Australia Category:Paralympic bronze medalists for Australia Category:Australian male freestyle swimmers Category:Australian male backstroke swimmers Category:Australian male breaststroke swimmers Category:Australian male butterfly swimmers Category:Australian male medley swimmers Category:Recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia Category:World record holders in paralympic swimming Category:Australian amputees Category:Australian Institute of Sport Paralympic swimmers Category:University of Adelaide alumni Category:1988 births Category:Living people Category:S9-classified para swimmers Category:Swimmers from Adelaide Category:Australian sportsperson-politicians Category:Liberal Party of Australia members of the Parliament of South Australia Category:Members of the South Australian House of Assembly Category:Paralympic Sport Awards — Best Male winners Category:Sport Australia Hall of Fame inductees Category:Medalists at the World Para Swimming Championships Category:Paralympic medalists in swimming Category:21st-century Australian politicians Category:Medallists at the 2006 Commonwealth Games Category:Medallists at the 2010 Commonwealth Games Category:Medallists at the 2014 Commonwealth Games Category:Sportsmen from South Australia Category:Australian politicians with disabilities Category:21st-century Australian sportsmen