Marayke is a Paralympic, medal-winning swimmer who has represented Australia at two Paralympic Games and has been selected to be on the Australian team for the Beijing Paralympic Games. She became a paraplegic in a car accident at 8 months of age but was determined to pursue her sporting dreams. When doctors told her mother Marayke would never walk again, she taught her daughter to swim instead. During her 14-year swimming career Marayke has broken 70 Australian records, and is a former world record holder in the 100m butterfly for her s5 classification. Marayke has two university degrees in Communications (journalism) and social science. She works as a motivational speaker and freelance writer. In 2008 she founded 'Sporting Dreams' a charitable fund assisting athletes with disabilities to become involved in sport and develop into elite athletes.When asked why she joined Team Darfur, Marayke had this to say:
I joined team Darfur because I believe the Olympics and Paralympics are about more than sport, they are a celebration of humanity and the strength of the human spirit.
From experience I can say that the Olympics and Paralympics are a unique way of achieving peace, and that our experiences as athletes put us in a position to help speak out and make changes.
When the youth of the world come together to share a love of sport, and then share a bus ride or a meal in the Olympic village, barriers are broken down and something special happens. We realize that while we are competitors in the pool, in life we are all part of the one race - THE HUMAN RACE. Sport is a language for peace.
I believe bad things happen when good people do nothing. We should do all we can to use our voice and help those less fortunate.
I want to live in a peaceful world, where everyone has equal rights and the opportunity to live a safe and happy life and to reach their full potential- just like we have reached our full potential as athletes. I have had so many opportunities through my sport, to travel the world and meet athletes from many countries and also to get an education at university. I want people in Darfur and everywhere in the world to have this opportunity too. This is the Olympic and Paralympic spirit.