South Hedland Maccas barista served coffee at Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

Part of a takeaway barista team, a South Hedland McDonalds barista served over 10,000 coffees to more than 150 Australian athletes and their families at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. McDonald’s conducted an Australia-wide search to find the best McCafé baristas and Wilson Carabeo was selected as one of four to train at the McCafe Barista Academy before heading to the Games. “McCafé sent two of its coffee carts to the Australian Athlete’s Village for the duration of the Games to serve free coffee and we served around 500 coffees per day,” Mr Carabeo said. “The pressure was definitely on, not just in making the cups of coffee, but also making the best cup of coffee every time. “The families and athletes really made us feel like part of the support team.” Having free time each day between shifts, Mr Carabeo was able to watch a host of events, namely wheelchair basketball, wheelchair tennis, para-athletics and para-archery. “One of my favourite moments was when Michael Roeger showed me his silver medal he’d just won for the Men’s 1500m race,” he said. “I also had the opportunity to explore Paris, meet the talented Australian Paralympic Team and watch Australians Ben Weekes and Anderson Parker compete in wheelchair tennis. “We just can’t believe we were able to be part of this experience, going to Paris and making coffee for the Australian team was undoubtedly a career highlight for us all – once in a lifetime.”