By PETER ROWE

Remember the name: Telaya Blacksmith.

Telaya is one of four Indigenous athletes representing Australia at the Paralympics, which begin in Paris tomorrow.

Blacksmith is just 16 but has bold ambitions to achieve big things in sport.

A Walpiri woman originally from Lajamanu in the Northern Territory, she currently lives in Sydney, where she is honing her skills as a runner and is also a promising footballer with the Sydney Swans AFL Academy.

A T20 400m runner and long jumper and a star in the making.

Telaya holds Australian age records in the 100m, 200m and long jump, but is a 400m runner at the international level. Fittingly, her idol growing up was the great Cathy Freeman, and she now lists Nova Peris and AFLW player Steph Williams.

When asked to describe herself in one sentence, Telaya said: “A fast, friendly girl from the NT ready to show the world what I’ve got.

“I represent my family every time I race and know that I am an inspiration for other young Aboriginal kids.

“I’m very excited, I’ve been getting really hyped up.”

The team includes four Indigenous athletes. Samantha Schmidt (athletics), Ruby Storm (swimming), Amanda Reid (cycling) and Blacksmith (athletics).

It is the equal highest number of Indigenous athletes to feature on an Australian Paralympic Team since Warren Lawton (goalball), Donna Burns (basketball), Karl Feifar (athletics) and Tracy Barrell (swimming) competed at the 1992 Paralympics.