Alberto Campbell-Staines
A Jamaican-Australian sprinter who overcame significant challenges to claim world championship medals as a T20 classified athlete.
Born 1993 (age 33)·Jamaican-Australian athlete·Birthday: June 27·Millennials
Biography
Alberto Campbell-Staines's story is one of transnational identity and sporting determination. Born in Jamaica with an intellectual disability, he was adopted by an Australian family as a child and grew up in Victoria. He found his calling on the track, specializing in the T20 classification for athletes with intellectual impairments. His sprinting prowess quickly became evident, and he began representing Australia on the global Para-athletics stage. Competing with a distinctive, powerful stride, he earned his place among the world's best, securing medals at the INAS World Championships. His journey highlights the inclusive potential of Paralympic sport, providing a platform for athletes like him to excel and represent their country at the highest level, transcending the obstacles they face.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Alberto was born in 1993, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Alberto Was Born
The biggest hits of 1993
#1 Movie
Jurassic Park
Best Picture
Schindler's List
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Alberto's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1993Born
European Union officially established
Gas: $1.11/galHome: $86,600Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"I Will Always Love You" — Whitney HoustonBest Picture: Schindler's List
1998Started school
Google founded; Clinton impeachment
Gas: $1.06/galHome: $107,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Too Close" — NextBest Picture: Shakespeare in Love
2006Became a teenager
Twitter launches; Pluto reclassified as dwarf planet
Gas: $2.59/galHome: $174,700Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Bad Day" — Daniel PowterBest Picture: The Departed
2009Could drive
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2011Could vote
Osama bin Laden killed; Arab Spring sweeps the Middle East
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $138,400Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Rolling in the Deep" — AdeleBest Picture: The Artist
2014Turned 21
Russia annexes Crimea; Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Gas: $3.37/galHome: $160,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Happy" — Pharrell WilliamsBest Picture: Birdman
2023Turned 30
ChatGPT goes mainstream; Israel-Hamas war begins
Gas: $3.52/galHome: $361,600Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Flowers" — Miley CyrusBest Picture: Oppenheimer
2026Age 33 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won two bronze medals at the 9th INAS Athletics World Championships.
- Competes internationally for Australia in the T20 classification for sprinters with intellectual impairment.
- Holds personal best times that rank him among Australia's top T20 sprinters.
Did You Know?
He is the adopted son of Australian Paralympic athletics coach and former runner, Paul Staines.
He was named after the famous Jamaican sprinter Alberto Juantorena.
He balances his athletic career with work in the disability sector.
His story of adoption and athletic success has been featured in Australian media.
“My lane is my own; I run my race against the clock.”
