How a shocking anti-gay law stopped one of Australia’s best athletes from wearing green and gold at the Paris Olympics
- Star cannot represent Australia in Paris due to court ruling
- Her adoptive mother in South Australia is a lesbian
A notable South Australian boxer could have worn green and gold at the Paris Olympics if not for state laws banning same-sex couples from adopting children before 2017.
Lightweight prodigy Fred Zziwa, 26, has become one of the country’s most feared boxers due to his speed and power, and the Ugandan-born athlete planned to showcase his skills at the 2024 Olympics in July.
However, Zziwa’s adoptive Australian mother, Melina Mayne, is a lesbian and legislation in South Australia before 2017 prevented same-sex couples from legally adopting.
Zziwa was forced to obtain a series of temporary visas while living in Victor Harbour, South Australia, and due to the adoption delay he was unable to obtain citizenship and cannot qualify for the Paris Games.
Lightweight prodigy Fred Zziwa (left) will not represent Australia in Paris in July due to laws in South Australia which prevented same-sex couples from adopting.
Zziwa’s Australian adoptive mother, Melina Mayne (pictured together), is a lesbian and was unable to adopt him due to an archaic law.
“It’s a tragedy for him and for Australia, he was robbed of his opportunity to go to the Olympics,” Mayne told News Corp.
“If the gay adoption laws had been changed a year earlier, I would have adopted Fred and he would have had his citizenship and he would have gone to Paris.
“But I’m so proud of what he was able to achieve despite the challenges; the nutritional challenges he faced as a child, the educational battles and mental obstacles he had to overcome when we were fighting for visas.
Zziwa, who has since turned professional, has scored amateur victories against several active Australian champions in multiple weight divisions – a feat rarely seen in the sport.
His biggest problem as a professional is trying to find someone who will get in the ring with him.
Zziwa’s former South Australian coach Mark Nethercott said: “He clearly has more power than anyone in the division in the country.
“That’s why everyone avoids him.
“He also has a high boxing IQ, able to make adjustments quickly in order to understand his opponents.”
The formidable lightweight now has his sights set on winning a world title
Zziwa has since moved to New South Wales to be trained by top trainer Joel Keegan, and now has his sights set on beating the best in his field.
“I dream of being world champion and I won’t stop until I get there,” he said.
“And one day there will be a statue of me in Victor Harbour. I’ve already spoken to the council about it, you’ll see this statue of me.
