Medallists Dimitri Coutya (wheelchair fencing), Kieran Bird (swimming), Becky Wilde (rowing), Dan Bethell (para-badminton) and Piers Gilliver (wheelchair fencing). Photo: Anna Barclay.

The athletes all train, study or studied at the University, one of the country’s leading institutions for high-performance sport, and were joined at the gathering by staff, coaches and civic representatives from Bath and Somerset.

Double Paralympic Champion Dimitri Coutya (wheelchair fencing) and Olympic gold-medallist Kieran Bird (swimming) were in attendance along with Dan Bethell (para-badminton), Piers Gilliver (wheelchair fencing) and Becky Wilde (rowing), who all enjoyed podium success in Paris.

Tokyo Olympic Champion Freya Anderson, Leah Crisp and Jacob Whittle, Bird’s team-mates in the Aquatics GB Bath Performance Centre, also attended, as did Pentathlon GB’s Kate French and Charlie Brown. Demonstrating the international nature of the University’s Paris contingent were student-athletes Henrique Mascarenhas (swimming) and Sofia Sjostrom (eventing), who represented Angola and Sweden respectively.

The event was hosted by Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, who said: “We are immensely proud of the athletes’ achievements in Paris this summer and delighted we can celebrate that today.

“In total there were 30 athletes who either train, study or studied at the University who competed in Paris, across 12 different sports and representing seven countries, and they brought home an incredible 17 medals between them.

“We were honoured earlier this year to be awarded the status of UK Sport-accredited Elite Training Centre, celebrating the University’s role in helping Team GB and ParalympicsGB athletes achieve their full performance potential.

Professor Phil Taylor, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Bath, hosted the homecoming celebration. Photo: Anna Barclay.

“Supporting high-performance athletes is just part of the University’s commitment to sport. We are Top 10 in the World University Rankings for sports-related subjects, and our sports courses, innovative research and first-class facilities help improve fitness, health and sporting techniques for people around the world.”

Speaking on behalf of the Olympic athletes, women’s double sculls bronze-medallist Wilde – who made the switch from swimming to rowing while studying Sport and Social Sciences – thanked the University for supporting her through lengthy injury rehabilitation during her time as a student-athlete.

“There was a period in my second year of rowing when I didn’t know if I’d ever get back in a boat again but the University backed me throughout,” said Wilde, who was supported by a Santander Scholarship. “It is thanks to my physio Heather Foster, my coach Dan Harris [with the GB Rowing Team Start Programme] and having access to the amazing facilities here that I was able to continue my rowing career.”

Category B epee and foil champion Coutya, who won four medals in total in Paris, spoke on behalf of the Paralympic athletes. He has trained full-time at the University since 2016 and was the second athlete, after Gilliver, to join a wheelchair fencing programme, led by the UK Sports Institute (UKSI), that has gone from strength to strength during the past decade.

“I remember being in the Paralympic Village in Paris and taking a moment to reflect on how fortunate I was to be part of the University of Bath and how their support had helped me reach this unique environment,” he said. “The reason we have come back with so many medals is thanks to the work we do in the Team Bath Sports Training Village and the Wheelchair Fencing National Training Centre [opened in 2022] that we call home.”

Speaking on behalf of the support staff was David McNulty, Head Coach of the Aquatics GB Bath Performance Centre whose athletes – including Bird and triple Olympic Champion Tom Dean – have won 14 medals across the past four Olympic Games.

“The environment and atmosphere that the Team Bath staff give us at the STV is second to none,” he said. “I’ve said it many times but there is nowhere in the world that has the same feel when you walk in. We won two gold medals in Paris but I know we can do better and that has spurred us on to go again for LA 2028.”

Also attending the reception were Ted Allen, Vice-Lieutenant of Somerset; Cllr Karen Walker, Chair of Bath & North East Somerset Council; Cllr Ruth Malloy, Deputy Mayor of Bath; and Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Find out more about sport at the University of Bath by visiting bath.ac.uk/sport and teambath.com.

Lead photo shows from left: Sofia Sjoborg, Kieran Bird, Dan Bethell, Freya Anderson, Dimitri Coutya, Professor Phil Taylor (University of Bath Vice-Chancellor), Jacob Whittle, Piers Gilliver, Stephen Baddeley (Director of Sport), Leah Crisp, Charlie Brown, Kate French and Henrique Mascarenhas.

With thanks to the Team Bath Press Office

Dear Prime Minister

Over the last 11 days at Paris 2024, the ParalympicsGB team have been energised by the incredible support from the UK public, both back home and at the venues where British fans were loud and proud.

As Paralympians, and as disabled people, we are more determined than ever to use this platform to do all we can to prevent the next generation of children being left on the sidelines in the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.

Just 1 in 4 disabled children say they take part regularly in sport at school. There are 1.5 million disabled children – 15% of the school population – and it is shocking that such a large number of young people do not have the chance to participate in sport and develop and grow as a result.

We are heartened by your support for the Equal Play campaign and we are asking you to act now to ensure every child has the same access to PE at school. Your government has a unique opportunity to shift the dial so that by the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, no disabled child faces this discrimination.

Now is the time for a clear plan from across Government with concrete steps for change. We need to:

• Empower teachers with the right tools, understanding and resources to deliver truly inclusive PE.
• Adapt teacher training to ensure the next generation of teachers have the skills and confidence to deliver truly inclusive PE.
• Redefine how PE is seen within the school curriculum, ensuring it becomes a priority across the education system.
• Increase the number of disabled people entering the teaching profession.

We are ready to work with you to deliver this.

ParalympicsGB

With eight more gold medals won than in Tokyo three years ago, the British team also equalled another record set then, winning medals across 18 of the 19 sports the team competed in – still the highest of any nation ever, with more than half of the 215 athletes in the team also reaching the podium.

Penny Briscoe OBE, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission at Paris 2024, said: “ParalympicsGB have achieved so many milestones at these Games, I could not be more proud of every single team member for their fantastic performances across 11 thrilling days of competition here in Paris.

“To finish these Games with 49 gold medals and 124 overall – surpassing what we achieved in Tokyo – is testament to our incredible athletes, coaches and support staff and the years and months of dedicated hard work they all put in.  Every Paralympic Games we see competition from around the world getting tougher and tougher, so to return home with so many fantastic performances from across the entire team really is so special.”

The gold medal rush began in the pool with Games’ debutant Poppy Maskill in the 100m butterfly S14 and continued throughout the eleven days of competition – day four a notable highlight as ParalympicsGB won 12 gold medals – the greatest number in a single day this century. Day nine saw the team claim their 42^nd gold medal – surpassing the number won in Tokyo with two more days of competition still to go.

Maskill’s medal haul of three gold and two silver medals made her the most successful athlete in the team, but there was plenty of promise from other young stars too, as ParalympicsGB’s youngest athlete, 13-year-old Iona Winnifrith, won her first Paralympic medal, a silver in the 100m breaststroke SB7. Another name for the future is undoubtedly 14-year-old Bly Twomey who claimed two Para table tennis bronze medals in the women’s singles WS7 as well as doubles WS14 with Fliss Pickard.

Dame Sarah Storey already had 18 Paralympic medals to her name by the time Winnifrith was born – she became ParalympicsGB’s most decorated Paralympian ever at Tokyo 2020 with 17 gold medals and 28 medals overall. The 46-year-old added to that incredible tally in Paris at her ninth Games, with two further Para cycling gold medals around the roads of the French capital.

Every member of ParalympicsGB’s 10-strong rowing squad won medals in Paris, including 26-year-old Lauren Rowles, who made history by becoming the first Para rower to claim consecutive gold medals at three Games.

ParalympicsGB’s Para triathlon and Para canoe squads enjoyed their most successful Games to date, while the swimming squad claimed no fewer than 18 golds – their highest number this century.

Triathlon’s Clare Cashmore and equestrian’s Natasha Baker both reached double-digits in terms of Paralympic medals with 10 apiece across six and four Games respectively – taking the total number of ParalympicsGB athletes with 10 or more medals up to 40.

At the Stade de France – home of the Para athletics events – Hannah Cockroft notched up her ninth Paralympic gold, a winning record that began at London 2012; there was also golden glory for vision impaired javelin thrower Dan Pembroke, who retained his Paralympic title with a world record to boot.

ParalympicsGB’s success wasn’t just about medals. Para archer Jodie Grinham arrived in Paris seven months pregnant, determined to show the world that competing while pregnant was no hurdle to success. She did just that – returning home with Paralympic gold and bronze medals to her name, having climbed to the top of the podium alongside her mixed team compound open partner, Scotsman Nathan MacQueen.

Briscoe added: “The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have been memorable for so many reasons beyond the amazing performances we have seen on the field of play. The Paris 2024 organisers have provided us with experiences that will live in our hearts forever – from spectacular venues to amazing volunteers, our hosts have made these a Games to remember.”

With thanks to ParalympicsGB 

ParalympicsGB is delighted to announce Paralympic champions and Games debutants Matt Bush and Poppy Maskill as the flagbearers for the British team at the Closing Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Sunday 8th September.

ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, Penny Briscoe OBE said: “Poppy and Matt have not only excelled in their sports at their first ever Games, delivering amazing performances for ParalympicsGB – they have been fantastic team members off the field of play too. They have thrived in the Paralympic Village and supported their team mates throughout, exemplifying the team spirit and values that ParalympicsGB as a team is so proud of.

“Competing for the first ever time at a Paralympic Games is a momentous occasion for anyone, and I’m delighted to see Poppy and Matt take it all in their stride. They will now be able to add to their fantastic memories of Paris 2024 with the honour of carrying the Union flag for ParalympicsGB at the Closing Ceremony this evening.”

Bush claimed Para taekwondo gold in the men’s 80kg + class with a dominant 5-0 win in the final – victory was particularly special for the 35-year-old who was unable to compete at the Tokyo Games three years ago after injury ruled him out of the team less than a month before the Games got underway.

Prior to that, the Welshman had competed in Para athletics, throwing the javelin, but was thwarted in his quest to make the ParalympicsGB Para athletics squad for Rio 2016 after he injured his shoulder.

Bush said: “It’s an unbelievable honour to represent not only the athletes in my sport but across all the 19 sports in ParalympicsGB. Everyone has performed so well and it’s been so fantastic to be here, I’m just super happy.

“It’s been such a fantastic experience, coming together as one big team and having the opportunity to spend time together with athletes from other sports. ParalympicsGB is such a close-knit team it is extra special that I can carry the flag on behalf of everyone. It’s an unbelievable way to finish my first experience of a Paralympic Games.”

Maskill, who competes in the S14 Para swimming class for intellectually impaired athletes, claimed her first gold medal in the pool in the 100m butterfly, setting a world record in the process. That gold was also the first for ParalympicsGB at Paris 2024. The 19-year-old went on to win golds in the 100m backstroke S14 and the 4 x 100m freestyle mixed relay as well silvers in the 200m freestyle and 200m individual medley.

Maskill, who is ParalympicsGB’s most successful multi-medallist of these Games said: “I’ve won five medals in Paris, the butterfly was my favourite as it was my first Paralympic medal and a world record. Next time I really want to win five golds. I’ve had a really amazing time and I can’t wait to carry the flag.”

With thanks to ParalympicsGB

From boccia to wheelchair rugby, Brits will be competing in a variety of sports across the French capital as they look to kick their Games off with a bang.

Track cycling

Kadeena Cox gets things underway for ParalympicsGB at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome as she competes in the women’s C4-5 500m time trial, with qualifying underway from 11:00 BST.

A four-time Paralympic champion across cycling and sprinting, Cox begins the defence of her time trial crown after setting a stunning new world record on the way to gold at Tokyo 2020 in 2021.

Double world champion Daphne Schrager and Fran Brown, who competed in triathlon in Tokyo, get their campaigns started in the women’s C1-3 3000m individual pursuit.

The tandem trio of Neil Fachie, James Ball and Stephen Bate will then battle it out for the medals in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit.

Swimming

ParalympicsGB will be well represented on the opening day of finals at the pool at La Defense Arena.
Watch out for 17-year-old Olivia Newman-Baronius in the women’s S14 100m butterfly: she is joint holder of the world record in that event and reigning European champion.

World silver medallist Poppy Maskill and double Tokyo podium finisher Louise Fiddes will also be in the mix, with William Ellard and Cameron Vearncombe challenging on the men’s side.

The last event of the day is the women’s S5 200m freestyle in which Tully Kearney will defend her title with Toni Shaw in action too in the women’s S9 400m freestyle.

Wheelchair basketball

Both the men’s and women’s wheelchair basketball teams get their Paris 2024 campaigns going on Day One in a pair of hotly-anticipated group games.

The men’s squad have won bronze medals in three of their last four Paralympic appearances, but ever since their silver of Atlanta 1996, a place in the final has eluded them. Opening Ceremony Flagbearer Terry Bywater is expected to see some action when they kick off their Games against Germany in Group A at Bercy Arena, with play starting at 09:30 BST.

Then, at 11:45 BST, the women’s side take on Spain in Group A, starting their journey towards what could be a first-ever medal.

Badminton

All four British shuttlers are in badminton action on Day One, with Jack Shephard pulling double duty.

Alongside partner Rachel Choong, Shephard starts his day at 08:10 BST in the SH6 mixed doubles Group A, taking on Indonesia’s pairing of Rina Marlina and Subhan Ina Subhan.

Shephard is then in singles action later that afternoon, competing in the men’s singles against China’s Lin Naili.

Krysten Coombs and Dan Bethell also begin their Games in the SH6 and SL3 categories respectively, with Tokyo silver medallist Bethell looking to go one better than his previous Paralympic appearance.

Boccia

There are six boccia contests to keep your eyes peeled on Day One.

Three-time Paralympic champion and four-time world champion David Smith sets the tone at 09:30 BST, taking on Jose Oliveira of Brazil in Pool A of the men’s individual BC1.

It is then an all British affair as William Arnott faces Patrick Wilson in their Pool A opener in the men’s individual BC3.

Stephen McGuire then takes centre stage to face Malaysia’s Abdul Razup Mas Abdul Rahman in Pool C of the men’s individual BC4.

At 17:10 BST, focus turns to the women’s events as Claire Taggart gets her women’s individual BC2 campaign underway against Ecuador’s Joselyn Leon, before Kayleigh Haggo takes on Soyeong Jeong in the same event.

To see off ParalympicsGB’s first day of action, Sally Kidson faces Brazil’s Evelyn Oliveira in Pool C of the women’s individual BC3.

There is also action in the archery as Tokyo champion Phoebe Paterson Pine and Rio silver medallist Jodie Grinham, who will compete while 28 weeks pregnant, begin their Paris 2024 campaigns in the ranking round.

The South Paris Arena will also play host to table tennis with Felicity Pickard and Bly Twomey contending in the WD14 women’s doubles, in quarter-final action in the morning with a potential semi-final in the evening.

With thanks to ParalympicsGB

Seven-time Paralympic Wheelchair basketball player Terry Bywater and Wheelchair tennis athlete Lucy Shuker, who will be competing at her fifth Games, will lead the British team at the Opening Ceremony which takes place at Place de la Concorde on 28th August.

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 said: “I am absolutely delighted to announce Terry and Lucy as our ParalympicsGB flagbearers for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony. Their selection – which was voted for by their teammates – underlines just how much both athletes epitomise the Paralympic values that we as a team are so proud of.

“I have had the pleasure of working closely with both Terry and Lucy since they made their Paralympic debuts, and watching them grow both as competitors and as individuals. Their dedication and commitment to their sport, matched with their positive attitudes and enthusiasm to support those around them makes me immensely proud.”

Redcar-born Bywater, who made his Paralympic debut back in Sydney 2000 at just 17-years-old, has been a stalwart of the British team at every Games since, winning four Paralympic bronze medals along the way – most recently at the rescheduled Tokyo 2020 Games. This year marks his 25th anniversary in the sport.

Speaking after being told the news of his special role within the team, the 41-year-old said: “It’s a dream come true – I feel quite emotional. This is my seventh Games, I actually wear the number seven vest too – so this is all a bit crazy right now. To be honest, carrying the Union flag, it hasn’t sunk in – I’m just super, super proud. This is not just about me, this is for the 215 athletes that are here, all the staff, my family, my wife, my son, my family that have passed away that always followed me – I’ll be doing it for everyone.

“Going to Sydney as a 17-year-old kid, I never thought I’d make two Games never mind seven. I kept on going because I just love Wheelchair basketball – I’m very passionate about it, it’s my life. But I also love ParalympicsGB, I’ve got fond memories of every single Paralympic Games going back to Sydney 2000. This is a genuine dream.”

Shuker first represented ParalympicsGB at Beijing 2008, claiming her first medal four years later when she won women’s doubles bronze alongside Jordanne Whiley at London 2012. The pair went on to win another bronze medal at Rio 2016 before going one better at Tokyo 2020 where they claimed silver.

Shuker, 44, said: “To have that honour to lead ParalympicsGB out is incredible and something that I never thought I would do. To qualify for my first Paralympics in Beijing was an achievement in itself – but to come to my fifth Paralympics and now be a flagbearer is a real dream come true.

“Leading the parade down the Champs-Elysées and Place de la Concorde is going to be really different – eyes will be on me, but also the rest of ParalympicsGB. We are a big team and to be at the front of that is insane, incredible and an honour. The team is everything, we are all there to represent ParalympicsGB and bring back medals – so we will do it together.”

With thanks to ParalympicsGB

Gemma Collis – Photo ParalympicsGB

Paralympians who train at the University of Bath are heading to Paris determined to write their own chapters in this summer’s sporting success story.

Seven athletes from four sports – Dan Bethell (para-badminton), Suzanna Hext (para-swimming), Michael Taylor (para-triathlon), and Gemma Collis, Dimitri Coutya, Piers Gilliver and Oliver Lam-Watson (wheelchair fencing) – have been selected to represent Britain when the Games take place from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 8th September.

Defending Category A epee champion Gilliver, Coutya and Lam-Watson brought nine medals home from Tokyo between them – one gold, three silver and five bronze – and, along with four-time Paralympian Gemma Collis, will be keen to add to their tally when they compete in the stunning Grand Palais from 3rd to 7th September.

With pool matches starting early in the morning and medals decided in the evening, the fencers are facing five long days of competition and Gilliver, silver-medallist in Rio and gold-medallist in Tokyo, said: “It’s going to be a challenging environment – not only are you facing the world’s best athletes but you’ve also got a very tough schedule to stick to.

“It’s going to be a really special experience, though. Paris is so close to home, we’ve got a fantastic venue with the Grand Palais, and friends and family will be able to come and support us. That will mean a huge amount.”

Para-swimmer Hext, who will contest the S5 100m freestyle on Friday 30th August, is also looking forward to experiencing a venue that provided one of the best atmospheres at the Olympics – the Paris La Defense Arena.

“Watching on TV and seeing that pool – oh my gosh, it’s going to be insane!” said Hext, from Calne, whose Paralympics debut in Tokyo was cut short by illness. “I’m going to be able to hear the noise too because of the rule change which means I’m allowed to race with my cochlear implants. I can’t wait.”

It’s a second Games too for Taylor, originally from Barnstaple and now living and studying in Bristol, who is coached by Jack Hall with the British Triathlon Bath National Performance Centre squad.

“It’s going to be a very different experience to Tokyo,” said Taylor, a lower-leg amputee who will compete in the PTS4 race on Sunday 1st September. “My family and friends are going to be there, and there will be crowds on the course too.

“The course itself is incredible, right through the centre of Paris. I think the River Seine swim will hopefully really play to my strengths, I used to swim a lot in the sea while growing up in North Devon so I should be used to the currents in the river. It’s a nice, flat course and the weather should be relatively cool so I think it should suit me.”

Bathonian Bethell – who does his regional training at the Sports Training Village where he began his para-badminton journey as a youngster with the Team Bath Futures athlete development programme – made history in Tokyo when he won Britain’s first-ever medal in the sport, a SL3 men’s singles silver.

He has high ambitions for Paris, saying: “My hope is to win the gold medal, that’s what I set out to do in this sport from the very beginning. Winning a silver in Tokyo was one dream fulfilled and it’s amazing to be a Paralympian, now I want to upgrade the colour in Paris.”

The para-badminton medals will be decided on Monday 2nd September.

With thanks to Bath University Press Office

After 10 athletes were selected in the first wave of selection in June, 23 athletes join the squad to represent ParalympicsGB in the French capital next month.

Among the names added to the team are multiple Paralympic medallists Dan Greaves and David Weir who have both been called up to their seventh Games. Greaves has won a medal at every Games dating back to Sydney 2000, while Weir has a decorated career at the highest level of the sport and is fondly remembered for his heroics for ParalympicsGB in London 2012 as well as multiple marathon successes around the world.

Greaves said: “To be selected to represent ParalympicsGB on the ultimate stage, the Paralympic Games is such a huge honour. I got the exact same feelings as I did back in 2000 when I was selected for my first Games. The selection call is both exciting and also a relief.

“I can’t wait to get my hands on the kit, chilling with all the athletes in the village and of course, competing in the Stade de France for the greatest prize.

“I love to represent my country and I couldn’t be prouder to wear the red, white & blue in Paris. Each previous Games holds a special memory and I am hoping to make many more over the Channel in a few weeks’ time.”

Two-time Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock also joins the squad to contest the T64 100m and the Universal 4x100m relay, while reigning Paralympic champions Sophie Hahn and Thomas Young are called-up for the T38 100m, with Hahn also part of the relay squad.

There are seven athletes competing at their first Paralympic Games including Boston Marathon winner Eden Rainbow-Cooper and Commonwealth Youth Games champion, Madeline Down.

Karim Chan, Funmi Oduwaiye, Didi Okoh and Marcus Perrineau-Daley are the other first-time selected athletes, while Harrison Walsh, who was called up to Tokyo before having to withdraw due to injury, is also among the athletes in the team for Paris.

Debutant Eden Rainbow-Cooper said: “I am so excited to be selected for my first Paralympic Games. This has been a dream of mine since I was 12 years old, so to get to go to Paris is truly beyond belief. I can’t wait to get out there and give it my all at the Games.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Paris 2024, said: “Every Para athlete in this squad has shown terrific talent and determination to secure their place on the ParalympicsGB team for Paris 2024 and I am so proud to welcome such a superb mix of experienced Paralympians alongside those for whom Paris 2024 will be their first Games. I’m really excited to see what our Para athletes can achieve in Paris in just over one month’s time.”

Katie Jones, Head of Paralympic Performance at UK Athletics added: “We are delighted to confirm our final team for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The athletes have worked incredibly hard to earn their places at the Games, so we are taking a high-quality team to Paris next month.

“We have several experienced athletes returning to the Games environment, and also a number of debutants who have raised their game this year to book their places in the squad. I wish all the athletes the best of luck with their preparation in the last few weeks before the Games and look forward to watching them perform next month.”

At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze. A total of 213 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris.

The ParalympicsGB Athletics Team for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games:

*Selected in the first wave in June.

Women:

Fabienne Andre (Richard Chiassaro, Harlow) – T34 100m and 800m

Kare Adenegan (Job King, Coventry) – T34 100m and 800m *

Hollie Arnold (Scott Knighton, Blackheath & Bromley) – F46 Javelin *

Olivia Breen (Aston Moore, City of Portsmouth) – T38 Long Jump and 100m *

Hannah Cockroft (Paul Moseley, Leeds) – T34 100m, 800m and Universal 4x100m Relay *

Madeline Down (Mike Bennett, Halesowen) – T38 Long Jump and 100m

Sabrina Fortune (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Deeside) – F20 Shot Put *

Sophie Hahn (Leon Baptiste, Charnwood) – T38 100m and Universal 4x100m Relay

Sammi Kinghorn (Rodger Harkins, Red Star) – T53 100m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and Universal 4x100m Relay *

Anna Nicholson (Richard Kaufman, Gateshead) – F35 Shot Put

Funmi Oduwaiye (Josh Clark, DSW Para Academy) – F64 Shot Put and Discus

Didi Okoh (Joe McDonnell, Chelmsford) – T63 100m

Eden Rainbow-Cooper (Arno Mul, Red Velvet Racing) – T54 800m, 1500m, 5000m and Marathon

Ali Smith (Benke Blomkvist, Guildford & Godalming) – T38 400m and Universal 4x100m Relay

Hannah Taunton (Charlotte Fisher, Taunton) – T20 1500m

Melanie Woods (Rodger Harkins, Red Star) – T54 400m, 800m and 1500m

Men:

Aled Davies (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Cardiff) – F63 Shot Put *

Jonathan Broom-Edwards (Beth Partridge, Newham and Essex Beagles) – T64 High Jump *

Karim Chan (Lukasz Zawila, Charnwood) – T38 Long Jump

Dan Greaves (Zane Duquemin, Charnwood) – F64 Discus

Nathan Maguire (Ste Hoskins, Kirkby AC) – T54 400m, 800m and 1500m

Luke Nuttall (Sonia and Chris McGeorge, Charnwood) – T46 1500m

Jonnie Peacock (Dan Pfaff, Charnwood) – T64 100m and Universal 4x100m Relay

Dan Pembroke (John Trower, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow) – F13 Javelin *

Marcus Perrineau-Daley (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy) – T52 100m

Ben Sandilands (Steve Doig, Fife) – T20 1500m *

Zac Shaw (Leon Baptiste, Cleethorpes) – T12 100m and Universal 4x100m Relay

Daniel Sidbury (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District) – T54 400m, 800m, 1500m and 5000m

Zak Skinner (Aston Moore, Birchfield Harriers) – T13 Long Jump and 100m

Isaac Towers (Pete Wyman, Blackpool, Wyre-Fylde) – T34 800m

Harrison Walsh (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Swansea) – F64 Discus

David Weir (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy) – T54 1500m, 5000m and Marathon

Thomas Young (Joe McDonnell, Charnwood) – T38 100m

With thanks to ParalympicsGB

Louise Sugden won bronze at Tokyo 2020, securing the medal with her final lift of the competition. The 40-year-old – who represented ParalympicsGB in wheelchair basketball at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012 – will compete in the women’s up to 79kg class in Paris.

Sugden said: “I’m delighted to be selected for my fourth Paralympics Games. This one is extra special for me after having shoulder surgery in 2022 and not knowing whether I’d be able to get back to competing. I’ve worked incredibly hard to be back to full strength and I’m so excited to get out to Paris to represent ParalympicsGB.”

Olivia Broome also claimed bronze at Tokyo 2020 and the 23-year-old, who competes in the women’s up to 50kg class, heads to Paris having won the world title last year.

Two-time Paralympic bronze medallist Zoe Newson, who made her Paralympic debut at London 2012, competes in the women’s up to 45kg class. The 32-year-old has multiple global medals to her name, adding to her tally with a bronze at last year’s World Championships a year after stepping to the top of the podium at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Making their debuts for ParalympicsGB are Charlotte McGuiness (women’s up to 55kg class), who clinched silver on her international debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships, reigning European champion and Commonwealth silver medallist Mark Swan (men’s up to 65kg class), 2022 European champion Mattie Harding (men’s up to 80kg class), and Liam McGarry (men’s over 107kg class), who benched a massive 232kg to secure qualification for Paris 2024, despite bouts of illness following the 2023 World Championships.

McGarry said: “Almost seven years to the day since my spinal cord injury, I have achieved what once seemed impossible, I have qualified for the Paralympic Games in Paris. To be able to compete on the biggest stage in the world against the strongest men on the planet I can only feel a profound sense of pride and accomplishment. My journey to the Games should show people that you are never out the fight.”

Tom Whittaker, Para Powerlifting Performance Director at British Weightlifting, said: “I am thrilled to announce this talented team for Paris 2024. Each athlete has shown exceptional dedication and resilience, and I am confident they will deliver outstanding performances at the Games.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission, added: “Our Para powerlifting squad embodies the spirit of strength and determination and I can’t wait to see what they all can achieve at the Paralympic Games next month. “

At Tokyo 2020 ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze. A total of around 220 athletes from 19 sports are expected to make up the British team that will compete in Paris.

Para Powerlifting squad for Paris 2024

Name/weight class/from

Olivia Broome (women’s up to 50kg); Chorley, Lancashire

Lottie McGuiness (women’s up to 55kg); Harrogate

Zoe Newson (women’s up to 45kg); East Bergholt

Louise Sugden (women’s up to 79kg); Newbury

Mattie Harding (men’s up to 80kg); Wirral

Liam McGarry (men’s over 107kg): Dartford, Kent

Mark Swan (men’s up to 65kg) Seaham

With thanks to ParalympicsGB

Tokyo champion Lauren Steadman (Women’s PTS5) is named in the squad as she looks to defend her title, whilst in the same classification Claire Cashmore will represent ParalympicsGB for the sixth time in search of her tenth medal. Cashmore came home from Tokyo with bronze from her first Games as a Para triathlete having previously competed in Para swimming.

Speaking on her fifth Paralympic Games selection, Steadman said: “It feels super exciting to be selected for my fifth Games. I am very honoured to fly the flag for British Triathlon and ParalympicsGB again and will do everything within my power to defend my gold medal.

“It’s just really exciting that if there was a little Lauren who was 14 years old starting her journey again, how proud she would be of the Lauren stepping up to go and race in Paris.

“I’m very, very excited and I hope that the legacy I can leave behind is not just of great sporting achievements but also that if anyone who dares to believe, dares to dream, they can have the career that they’d love to.”

Six-time world champion, Dave Ellis (Men’s PTVI), will race with long-term guide Luke Pollard with the pair looking to add to their World and Commonwealth champion status having suffered a DNF as a result of a mechanical failure on their bike in Tokyo.

Also returning to once again compete at the Paralympics will be Rio 2016 silver medallist Alison Peasgood in the women’s PTVI classification, alongside her guide Brooke Gillies. Peasgood, who finished fourth in Tokyo, will be racing in Paris having given birth to her first child in August 2023, with Gillies making her Games debut.

Looking ahead to her third Games, Peasgood commented: “It’s been such an emotional rollercoaster to get to this point of qualifying for my third Games. When I was holding my tiny baby in my arms last August, I didn’t know how it was all going to be possible.

“It’s taken a village to get me to this point and I’m grateful to all of them for their support. I am looking forward to representing ParalympicsGB alongside my amazing guide Brooke. Not sure what my son Logan will make of it all, but I hope one day he will be proud to have been part of this journey with me.”

Michael Taylor (Men’s PTS4) will also return having finished seventh in Tokyo, whilst Mel Nicholls (Women’s PTWC) will compete in her third Paralympic Games and her first since moving into Para triathlon. Nicholls has previously represented ParalympicsGB in Para athletics and only switched to Para triathlon in 2022.

Another athlete new to the sport who has made the ParalympicsGB team for Paris is Henry Urand (Men’s PTS3). The Loughborough University student made the transition from Para cycling to Para triathlon in 2023 and has qualified for his first Paralympic Games having finished first or second in five of his six international races in the last 12 months.

Speaking on being selected for his first Games, Urand said: “I am honoured to be selected as a part of the Para triathlon team heading out to Paris. It feels surreal at the moment, and not something I thought was possible when I switched to triathlon 15 months ago.

“It means so much being able to go to Paris and showcase Para sport to the world stage. It is extra special that it is a Games that is close to home, where family and friends can come and watch.”

Also making their Games debuts in Paris will be Finley Jakes (Men’s PTS4), Hannah Moore and Megan Richter (both Women’s PTS4), and Oscar Kelly and his guide Charlie Harding in the men’s PTVI classification.

Kelly and Harding also teamed up to represent England at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, with Moore and Richter sharing six medals between them so far this year. Jakes has developed through the British Triathlon system, progressing from taking part in a Talent ID Day, through the pathway and onto the World Class Programme to reach his first Paralympic Games.

Tom Hodgkinson, Head of Paratriathlon at British Triathlon, said of the squad: “To be able to take a large and talented team of athletes and guides to Paris is incredibly exciting for me, British Triathlon and the sport in Britain.

“Across the team we’ve got stories of success, comebacks and personal triumphs. Lauren coming back into the team having taken time away to start her PhD, Alison returning as a mother, and Dave and Luke returning to the top of the sport again after some bad luck in Tokyo really show the people behind the results.

“We’ve also got a strong cohort of athletes who’ve put performances together throughout 2024 to secure qualification. There were a lot of challenges last year which have been overcome and the character demonstrated puts us as a team in a good place moving forwards.

“Everyone in the squad has a fantastic story to tell of this cycle and with a team of people behind them who have helped get them to this point. The coming weeks from our holding camp in France and through to Paris will be an amazing next chapter in those stories and I’m looking forward to shaping and sharing the experience with the selected athletes of ParalympicsGB for Paris 2024.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Paris 2024 said: “I want to congratulate every athlete and guide on this selection milestone as part of the biggest Para triathlon squad to ever represent ParalympicsGB. With the experience of athletes such as Lauren Steadman, Claire Cashmore and Dave Ellis combined with some exciting ParalympicsGB debutants this is further proof of the breadth of talent we have across a diverse range of sports as we head towards Paris 2024.”

At Tokyo 2020, ParalympicsGB won medals across a record breaking 18 different sports – the highest number of any nation ever. ParalympicsGB finished second on the medal table with 124 medals overall, including 41 gold, 38 silver and 45 bronze.

Sunday 1 September (PTS2-5)

Lauren Steadman (PTS5) – From Peterborough, Trains in London

Claire Cashmore (PTS5) – From Kidderminster, Trains in Loughborough

Michael Taylor (PTS4) – From Barnstaple, Trains in Bristol/Bath

Finley Jakes (PTS4) – From Eastbourne, Trains in Loughborough

Megan Richter (PTS4) – From Birmingham, Trains in Birmingham

Hannah Moore (PTS4) – from Stalbridge, Trains in Loughborough

Henry Urand (PTS3) – from Ashford, Trains in Loughborough

Monday 2 September (PTVI & PTWC)

Dave Ellis (PTVI) – From Derby, Trains in Loughborough

Luke Pollard (guide to Dave Ellis) – From Telford, Trains in Loughborough

Alison Peasgood (PTVI) – From Dunfermline, Trains in Loughborough

Brooke Gillies (guide to Alison Peasgood) – from Fife, Trains in Loughborough

Oscar Kelly (PTVI) – From Redbridge, Trains in Loughborough

Charlie Harding (guide to Oscar Kelly) – From Penrith, Trains in Nottingham

Mel Nicholls (PTWC) – From Tewkesbury, Trains in Tewkesbury/Loughborough

With thanks to ParalympicsGB