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paralympics gb

2022/23 PARALYMPIC WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME COHORT ANNOUNCED

written by Hugh

9 athletes have been nominated for membership to join the UK Athletics Paralympic World Class Programme (WCP) for 2022/23.

The Paralympic WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery funded initiative supporting the delivery of success at named milestone targets, namely outdoor track World and European championships, and the Paralympic Games. The WCP is split into several levels reflecting the actual and potential performance levels of athletes: Podium, Podium Potential and Confirmation.

Athletes are nominated for the WCP to further the aim of UK Athletics to win medals at the 2024 and/or 2028 Paralympic Games. UKA are committed to the principle that winning will always be achieved with integrity and in line with UK Sport’s ambition of ‘Keep Winning and Win Well’.

Therefore, UK Athletics must be confident that any athlete nominated for the WCP has the realistic potential and demonstrable performance capability and capacity to make the necessary progress to achieve a medal at least in one of the next two Paralympic Games.

Seven reigning Paralympic champions including Daniel Pembroke (coach: David Turner, Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow) and Sophie Hahn (Leon Baptiste, Charnwood) are included on Podium level funding once again.

Meanwhile, after a superb 2022 season which has seen him set personal bests across several events, and where he has also claimed Commonwealth silver in the T54 1500m, Daniel Sidbury (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District) progresses from Confirmation level to Podium Potential.

Additionally, six athletes have been added at Confirmation – this level is designed to support athletes in their first 1-2 years of inclusion in high-performance programmes, to provide a period through which the potential of the athlete is explored and confirmed.

Five of these athletes have previously been supported on the Futures Academy Programme, so they are continuing their progression along the UK Athletics Paralympic Pathway.

John Bridge (Darrell Maynard, Cardiff), who won European T47 400m silver in 2021, joins at this level, as does Eden Rainbow-Cooper (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy) who won Commonwealth silver in Birmingham and also finished third at the London Marathon recently.

Commonwealth T47 100m champion, Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker (Joe McDonnell and Nat Senior, Newham and Essex Beagles) is also added, as is Ethan Kirkby (Sonya Ellis, Newton Abbot) and Steven Stone (Gary Manson, Forth Valley Flyers), while T52 athlete Marcus Perrineau-Daley (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy) joins the pathway for the first time.

As per previous years, the nomination for WCP membership is subject to UK Sport ratification and a signed athlete agreement between the athlete and UKA.

Tom Paulson, Head of Paralympic Performance at UK Athletics, commented, “The Paralympic Programme is in a strong position as we head towards Paris 2024 and LA 2028. It is also good to see athletes graduating along the Pathway from the Futures Academy on to the World Class Programme.

“It has been a different year for many athletes as they have not had a major Championships / Games this summer, however, they have remained focused and will be concentrating on the prospect of qualifying for the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris next July.

“We have an exciting and important period coming up for the sport, and I’m looking forward to working with the athletes and coaches to make sure they have the required support provided by the WCP to be in the best position to achieve success in Paris and / or Los Angeles.”

The British Athletics Paralympic WCP Athletes for 2022/23:

Paralympic Podium (18):

Kare Adenegan (Job King, Coventry)

Hollie Arnold (David Turner, Blackheath and Bromley)

Columba Blango (Chris Zah, Shaftesbury Barnet)

Olivia Breen (Aston Moore, City of Portsmouth)

Jonathan Broom-Edwards (Bethan Partridge, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Richard Chiassaro (Jenni Banks, Harlow)

Hannah Cockroft (Leeds)

Aled Davies (Ryan Spencer-Jones, Cardiff)

David Devine (Tony Clarke, Liverpool Harriers)

Sabrina Fortune (Ian Robinson, Deeside AAC)

Dan Greaves (Zane Duquemin, Charnwood)

Sophie Hahn (Leon Baptiste, Charnwood)

Sammi Kinghorn (Rodger Harkins, Red Star)

Maria Lyle (Jamie Bowie, Team East Lothian)

Owen Miller (Steven Doig, Fife)

Jonnie Peacock (Dan Pfaff, Charnwood)

Daniel Pembroke (David Turner, Windsor Slough Eton & Hounslow)

Thomas Young (Joe McDonnell, Charnwood)

Paralympic Podium Potential (12):

Lydia Church (Peterborough & Nene Valley)

Nathan Maguire (Steven Hoskins, Kirkby)

Anna Nicholson (Richard Kaufman, Gateshead)

Derek Rae (Steven Doig, Fife)

Zac Shaw (Leon Baptiste, Cleethorpes)

Daniel Sidbury (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District)

Zak Skinner (Aston Moore, Loughborough Students)

Ali Smith (Benke Blomkvist, Guildford and Godalming)

JohnBoy Smith (Christine Parsloe, Sutton & District)

Hannah Taunton (Charlotte Fisher, Taunton)

Harrison Walsh (Nathan Stephens, Swansea)

David Weir (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy)

Paralympic Confirmation (9):

Fabienne André (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy)

John Bridge (Darrell Maynard, Cardiff)

Ethan Kirby (Sonya Ellis, Newton Abbot)

Luke Nuttall (Alison Wyeth, Charnwood)

Emmanuel Oyinbo-Coker (Joe McDonnell and Nat Senior, Newham and Essex Beagles)

Marcus Perrineau-Daley (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy)

Eden Rainbow-Cooper (Jenny Archer, Weir Archer Academy)

Steven Stone (Gary Manson, Forth Valley Flyers)

Melanie Woods (Rodger Harkins, Red Star)

20th October 2022 0 comment

Para Sports

TOM PAULSON APPOINTED AS HEAD OF PARALYMPIC PERFORMANCE AT UK ATHLETICS

written by Hugh

Tom Paulson has been appointed as the Head of Paralympic Performance at UK Athletics following the completion of an open recruitment process which included a para athlete representative.

Paulson, who will take his post in mid-August, will join UK Athletics from the English Institute of Sport (EIS) where he has held the post of Head of Paralympic Performance Support since 2017, working at the British Paralympic Association as Head of Performance for Tokyo 2020, and Deputy Chef de Mission for Beijing 2022.

With a career in elite Paralympic sport including the role of Performance Lead for Great Britain Wheelchair Rugby throughout the Rio cycle, Paulson has extensive experience in the key areas of support required for athletes to excel at the highest level.

After working closely with several Paralympic sports Head Coaches and Performance Directors across the summer and winter programmes over the last few years, Paulson will join UK Athletics at a key time for the Programme with the Paralympic Games Paris 2024 just over two years away, and a World Para Athletics Championships scheduled in the same city in the summer of 2023.

Paulson will be responsible for leading the UK Athletics Paralympic World Class Programme (WCP), and driving the performance strategic development, planning and leadership within the High-Performance System for UK Athletics.

In the role, he will support athletes to medal at global integrated and para specific athletics championships and Paralympic Games for each cycle. This includes supporting para athletes and coaches to optimise their training and performance environments and ensure the WCP is impactful and delivers value towards their progress and success at Paralympic Games.

His role will provide the strategic leadership to support the development of the WCP, and underpinning para pathways and talent identification processes that ensure a sustainable pipeline of athletes and coaches who can deliver consistent medal success on a world stage within the next four years and beyond.

Upon his appointment, Paulson said; “I am delighted to be joining UK Athletics as the Head of Paralympic Performance. After working in elite Paralympic sport for over 12 years, this is a fantastic opportunity to be involved in the biggest Paralympic sport and lead the para athletics strategy and programmes in the High-Performance System. I look forward to working closely with all the highly talented athletes, coaches, staff, and support personnel.”

“I am incredibly grateful to the English Institute of Sport for the opportunity to work alongside world-leading experts in talent-identification, athlete preparation and performance planning over the last six years. I am also very fortunate to have been part of ParalympicsGB’s exceptional leadership team for the recent Tokyo 2020 and Beijing 2022 Paralympic Games. These experiences, combined with the wealth of expertise in the para-athletics world class programme, will ensure we can best support athletes and coaches to repeatedly deliver world-leading performances at next year’s World Championships and future Paralympic Games”.

Tommy Yule, Head of Performance at UK Athletics, commented on the appointment by saying,

“We are thrilled that Tom has accepted this highly important role in the High-Performance system at UK Athletics. The Para Athletics programme has produced incredible results over the last decade or so and is world-leading in several areas. Therefore, to have someone of Tom’s experience join in that role to provide the leadership to para athletics at UKA is crucial to continue to support our athletes, coaches and support personnel to perform at their highest level on the international stage, and to ensure the WCP is impactful and delivers value for all parties.”

26th May 2022 0 comment

Cycling Para Sports

Dame Sarah Storey: Great Britain’s most successful Paralympian of all time

written by Hugh

Dame Sarah Storey made history as she became ParalympicsGB’s most successful athlete of all time with a stunning 17th career gold – and she did it the hard way.

Storey, who made her debut as a swimmer at the 1992 Games in Barcelona, would have felt right at home on arrival at the Fuji Speedway, skies were leaden, rain torrential and the temperature was positively chilly.

Indeed it’s due to be warmer today back home in the Peak District.

But after individual pursuit victory on the track and time trial success on the road, this C4-5 road race was no procession.

Full article & Images – https://paralympics.org.uk/articles/dame-sarah-storey-becomes-great-britains-most-successful-par

2nd September 2021 0 comment

Archery

MIXED FORTUNES FOR PARALYMPICSGB ARCHERY IN TOKYO

written by Hugh

29 August 2021: Earlier today Phoebe Paterson Pine, 23, qualified for the second round of the Women’s Individual Compound Open. On Friday Games debutante Paterson Pine ranked 16th and achieved a personal best in the rankings round.

Today she faced Tatiana Andrievskaia from the Russian Paralympic Committee in the first round in Yumenoshima Park, winning 142-138 in a confident first outing in the arena which saw her achieve a perfect score of 30 in the 3rd end. She will now face Jess Stretton in an all-British battle on Monday morning with both hoping to secure a place in the quarter finals.

World No.1 Stretton, 21, set a new Paralympic record to finish first in the ranking round, earning her a bye to the second elimination stage, but must now see off her compatriot in order to try to match the gold medal she won at Rio 2016 aged just 16.

The Mixed Team Compound Open saw ParalympicsGB duo Jess Stretton and Nathan Macqueen lose a close quarter final match to a strong team from Iran by 151-153. Stretton and Macqueen finished 6th overall.

On today’s performances, Neil Armitage, CEO of Archery GB said, “Jess and Nathan shot really well in the mixed team event but came up against an Iranian team that were able to get the edge on our determined duo.

It is a shame for the ParalympicsGB archery team that Jess and Phoebe have been drawn against each other, but I am excited to see how they compete tomorrow in the individual competition.”

Commenting on the Women’s Individual Compound Open, Phoebe Paterson Pine said: “It’s difficult knowing that I have to go against a teammate, we absolutely adore each other.

As a team we’re very close-knit. We train together four days a week, we compete together so going against her is going to be difficult. We’re so equally matched it could go either way, I wish her the best of luck and I know she wishes me the best of luck.

Going into the match I was incredibly nervous. This is my first Paralympic Games so entering it I just wanted to stick to my process, stick to my shot, do everything I do normally, and I think I did that to an absolute tee.”

Commenting on the outcome of the Mixed Team competition, Jess Stretton said: “Nathan and I actually shot really well. We did all we could given the circumstances. It was going to go one way or the other and we just got unlucky.

We were as best prepared as we could have been. Even just to get here is an amazing achievement. We were looking at the scores earlier and they were all lower than what we shot. I think If we’d have been up against anyone else, we might have had a different result.

On shooting against fellow teammate Phoebe Paterson Pine tomorrow she added: “I’m both nervous and excited for tomorrow morning. It’s going to be more nerve-wracking shooting out there all by myself because I won’t have Nathan out there supporting on the line but I will still have Rikki (Bingham, Stretton’s coach) so that calms me a little bit. I think I’m a bit nervous because it’s against Phoebe, my teammate, and that’s always difficult but if we both shoot our best and perform as well as I know we can then whatever happens happens.”

Brief background on Paralympic archers:

Jess Stretton MBE, just 21, who won her first Paralympic gold medal aged only 16 in Rio
Nathan Macqueen, who played rugby for Glasgow Warriors at under 21 level before a motorbike accident forced him to turn to archery to quell his competitive nature – this is his second Paralympics
Phoebe Paterson Pine is a student at Worcester University, she holds eight national records, four European records and three world records.

29th August 2021 0 comment

Equestrian Para Sports

Change in the Paralympic dressage squad

written by Hugh

The British Paralympic Association, in conjunction with the British Dressage Para Selectors and Performance Manager Georgina Sharples, has made a change to the quartet who will represent ParalympicsGB in the forthcoming Tokyo Paralympic Games. Due to a minor veterinary issue, Innuendo III, owned and ridden by Sophie Christiansen, has been withdrawn from selection.

This brings in FEI 2109 European Gold Medallist, Georgia Wilson riding Sakura, owned by her parents Geoff and Julie Wilson and herself, to make their Paralympic debut in the Grade II division. They join Natasha Baker (Keystone Dawn Chorus), Sir Lee Pearson (Breezer) and Sophie Wells (C Fatal Attraction).

British Equestrian Performance Director Richard Waygood commented; “This will be a personal disappointment to Sophie Christiansen, who has worked so hard for a chance to represent her country at her fifth consecutive Games. However, with the experience of Natasha, Lee and Sophie Wells now joined by Georgia, who, having tasted medal success in 2019, is ready for more, the British quartet will pose a strong challenge on the Paralympic stage.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission at Tokyo 2020 said: “This is clearly desperately disappointing news for Sophie who is an incredible athlete, ambassador and advocate for the Paralympic movement. She has set the standard at recent Games and we were looking forward to seeing her compete in Tokyo.

“An injury to either rider or horse so close to the Games is very unfortunate and we will work with the British Equestrian to ensure Sophie has the support she needs.

“Georgia’s selection clearly demonstrates the strength in depth in British Para Dressage and we are excited to see her make her Paralympics debut in Tokyo.”

The para dressage horses are currently in quarantine ahead of flying to Tokyo on 18 August.

Full combination details:

Georgia Wilson (25) based in Abergele, Conwy, with Geoff & Julie Wilson and her own Sakura (chestnut, mare, 7yrs, 16hh, Breeder: G Eilberg GBR)

12th August 2021 0 comment

Athletics Para Sports

BRITISH WHEELCHAIR ATHLETES SET FOR MÜLLER 2021 WHEELCHAIR MARATHON THRUXTON CIRCUIT

written by Hugh

British Athletics can confirm that Thruxton Circuit and Venue, the UK’s fastest motor racing track, will host the Müller 2021 Wheelchair Marathon Thruxton Circuit on Sunday 28 March 2021.

Due to limited competition opportunities for wheelchair marathon athletes over the last year and over the next few months, this event provides a key preparation opportunity for a number of athletes based in the UK.

Entries for the World Para Athletics approved event will be by invitation only. Additionally, there will be athletes racing shorter distances than the 26.2 mile as part of this competition opportunity.

The men’s entry list includes multiple Paralympic champion David Weir (Jenny Archer; Weir Archer Academy), and 2018 Commonwealth Games silver and bronze medallists, JohnBoy Smith (Christine Parsloe) and Simon Lawson (Ian Thompson; Carlisle Tri). Paralympic medallist Shelly Woods (Peter Wyman; Blackpool, Wyre and Fylde), who will be targeting a third Games later this summer, leads the women’s entry list.

Among the athletes racing fewer loops of the Thruxton circuit are multiple World Para Athletics medallist, Sammi Kinghorn (Red Star), six-time European medallist Ben Rowlings (Coventry) and World Para Athletics Junior champion Zien Zhou (Job King; Coventry).

The races get underway from midday and each loop will be 3.6km.

British Athletics continues to follow all Government advice and guidelines to ensure the safety of all those involved in delivering and competing at events currently being staged.

Para Athletics Head coach at British Athletics, Paula Dunn said:

“This is a great competition opportunity for several of our wheelchair racers who have had limited chances to race over the last year or so. A lot of hard work has gone into finding a suitable covid-19 secure venue to host this event, so thanks to all the stakeholders involved who have made this possible.”

Ben Taylor Chief Executive Thruxton Circuit and Venue, said,

“We are thrilled to be able to host this prestigious event for UK Athletics and it will be a first for the UK’s fastest circuit. The event reflects the efforts we have made to ensure that Thruxton is Covid-secure for a variety of purposes and, like many venues, our facilities have sat empty for far too long. It will be great to have competitive sport back on our track; it’s just a shame that we can’t have the spectators back too.”

19th March 2021 0 comment

TSF News

Camelot throws support behind Team GB and ParalympicsGB ahead of Tokyo 2020

written by Hugh

With under six months until the Tokyo 2020 Olympic and Paralympic Games, National Lottery operator, Camelot, has thrown its support behind Team GB and ParalympicsGB in the build-up to two of the world’s most globally recognised sporting events.

The National Lottery has always been a fantastic supporter of Olympic and Paralympic sport and now its operator, Camelot, will play a key role in helping to ensure athletes arrive at the biggest sporting moment of their lives in the best possible shape.

Team GB and ParalympicsGB have undertaken a comprehensive review of their operations following the March 2020 postponement to ensure athletes are met with Covid-secure environments to prepare for the Games – and Camelot’s vital support will play a key role in making this happen.

The Team GB investment will cover a range of Covid mitigation measures, from cutting-edge hygiene technology to a comprehensive testing programme, which aims to protect the Team GB delegation prior to and during the Games. For ParalympicsGB the investment will deliver safeguards including lateral flow testing across all prep camps, the Athlete Village and out-of-village locations, as well as Covid-secure transport and dining at athletes’ pre-Games camps in Tokyo. Every detail has been considered before the teams arrive in Tokyo.

This latest announcement will see Camelot become an official partner of ParalympicsGB and an official supporter of Team GB. It will continue a relationship which has seen The National Lottery provide life-changing support to Olympic and Paralympic athletes every time that players buy a National Lottery ticket.

Since National Lottery funding for elite sport began in 1996, over £2.8 billion has been invested in supporting British Olympic and Paralympic sport. These funds, distributed by UK Sport, are fundamental to the success of athletes and sports at Games time, and have helped Team GB and ParalympicsGB establish themselves among the best countries in the world.

At Rio 2016, Team GB finished second in the medal table securing 67 medals and surpassing the total number won in London four years previously. ParalympicsGB also enjoyed huge success too, winning an incredible 147 medals, 64 of them gold, to also finish second in the medal table.

On top of this, The National Lottery contributed up to £2.2 billion towards the cost of the London 2012 Games, with Camelot achieving its target of raising £750 million towards this sum from sales of specially-designated lottery games ahead of schedule.

As part of the collaboration with Camelot, Team GB and ParalympicsGB will help deliver a programme – called ‘Everyday Wellness’ – for Camelot’s 1,000 employees and help them be their best: happier, healthier and more balanced.

In a very difficult year for society throughout the UK and the wider world, people have been pushed to their limits on various fronts and this innovative programme will enhance the activities Camelot already carries out in recognising the importance, value and wellbeing of its staff.

Camelot CEO, Nigel Railton, said:

“We’re delighted to support TeamGB and ParalympicsGB during what has been an extraordinary period for the whole of the UK. Throughout the pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our employees has been our number one priority – so it seems fitting that this partnership will not only help ensure that the nation’s athletes are met with Covid-secure environments as they prepare for the Games, but will also give our employees further opportunity to be at their best every day.”

British Olympic Association CEO, Andy Anson, said: “The nation has been heavily impacted during the last 12 months and the Tokyo Games provide an amazing opportunity to generate a positive message.

“The support of Camelot is timely in ensuring that we’re able to maintain the world class environment for our athletes in Tokyo whilst incorporating the vital additional infrastructure to make sure our facilities are Covid-secure for our athletes and to allow them to reach the ‘start line’ in the best possible condition.

“We’re also excited to work with Camelot and their staff on our innovative wellness programme and share the lessons learned from the success of Team GB.”

British Paralympic Association CEO, Mike Sharrock, said:

“Like so many organisations the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on the British Paralympic Association and this partnership with Camelot will help ensure we can deliver world class preparation and Games time environments to empower our athletes to achieve their goals this summer.

“Tokyo 2020 is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the resilience of the human spirit and we are confident ParalympicsGB can help unite and inspire the nation once again.”

15th March 2021 0 comment

Para Sports Rowing

Paralympic Champion Grace Clough MBE announces her retirement

written by Hugh

On the four-year anniversary of her golden final in Rio, Paralympic Champion and four-time World Champion Grace Clough MBE has announced her retirement from international rowing

Since joining the GB para squad in 2013, Grace has been an integral member of the PR3 mixed coxed four. She became Paralympic Champion at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and received an MBE in the New Year’s Honours that year.

“The highlight of my rowing career has to be that golden day in Rio where GB won a medal in every boat class,” Grace says. “It was an incredible feeling to be part of such a dominant team of athletes and support staff, with everyone working towards one goal and it all coming together on the day. We had so many friends and family there and just seeing everyone so happy and celebrating the achievement felt amazing.”

Grace was originally spotted at a ParalympicsGB Talent ID event and nurtured through her first strokes in the sport by Dez Atkins and Nottingham Rowing Club.

She joined the GB squad in 2013 and, after the traditional Para Rowing introduction to racing in Gavirate, won her first World Cup in Aiguebelette in 2014. This was swiftly followed by a maiden World Title win in Amsterdam later that summer.

The 2014 season marked the start of an unbeaten international rowing career in which Grace went on to claim a further World Cup win in Varese 2015 and three further World Championship victories in Aiguebelette 2015, Sarasota 2017 and Plovdiv 2018.

Amidst all of her successes Grace also racked up World bests on the ergo (Feb 2015) and over both on-water race distances (1000m in 2015, 2000m in 2017), not to mention a degree from Oxford.

“I’ve had an incredible journey – from coming into rowing as someone who had no idea which way to sit in a boat to becoming Paralympic champion in two and a half years.

“I have to give a special thanks to Tom Dyson for his patience in teaching me how to row. If it wasn’t for the support team around me, especially Tom, I would never have won anything let alone become Paralympic champion.

“I step away from the sport having achieved more than I ever thought possible, thanks to the funding, support staff and GB setup which enables people to achieve incredible things.”

Grace is returning to university to train as a secondary school PE teacher, where lucky classes of children in Sheffield will be able to be taught by a Paralympic champion.

“I’m hoping I can use my experiences to show the importance of staying involved in sport and staying active after leaving school. Physical activity has huge mental and physical benefits and allows you to challenge yourself personally every day.”

Paralympic Chief Coach Tom Dyson paid tribute to Grace, saying: “I want to thank Grace for everything she has brought to the squad over the years and to wish her every success as she embarks on a new career in teaching. Her future pupils are extremely lucky to have her.”

12th September 2020 0 comment

Athletics Para Sports

DOUBLE PARALYMPIC CHAMPION GEORGIE HERMITAGE ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT FROM ATHLETICS

written by Hugh

Double Paralympic champion Georgie Hermitage has today announced her retirement from para athletics at the age of 30.

Over the last five years, Hermitage has claimed four world titles, defending the T37 400m title at the London Stadium in 2017 – in a race where she set the world record of 1:00.29 which still stands today – in front of a rapturous home crowd.

She competed in club athletics during her childhood, and she would later be inspired to return to the sport soon after the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Fast forward three years, and she was making her international debut for Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the World Para Athletics Championships in Doha.

Watched on by her then three-year-old daughter, Tilly, she sealed the T37 400m title in style and was also part of the T35-38 4x100m relay gold-medal winning team. A silver over the 100m added to a dream debut for Hermitage as she announced herself on the international stage.

A year later, Rio was the venue for two of her finest triumphs as she was crowned Paralympic champion in the T37 100m and 400m.

She reached the 100m final where she would face Mandy Francois-Elie of France. The Briton oozed quality as she stormed to the title in 13.13, beating the Frenchwoman by 0.32 seconds leading to wild celebrations.

She would later return to the track during an exceptionally hot morning session to contest the T37 400m final. With the Chinese athletes posing a real threat to her crown, she once again showed her quality, winning in 1:00.53 and adding another medal to ParalympicsGB’s ever-growing tally at those Games.

She finished the Games as a triple medallist following silver in the T35-38 4x100m relay, joining Kadeena Cox, Sophie Hahn and Maria Lyle on the podium.

Earlier that year she also won four titles at the WPA European Championships in Grosseto, another example of her stellar achievements on the track.

Her double success in London at a home championship was a fitting end to a wonderful career after injury affected her progress over the last two seasons.

After calling time on her career, Hermitage said:

“It is a heart-breaking decision to retire but despite our best efforts, my body isn’t recovering from injuries which means I’m not able to train or compete to the level that’s required. Working with the British Athletics medical team, we have thrown the kitchen sink at trying to deal with the injuries, but they keep recurring. You can never say never, but I know this is the right decision at this point in my life.

“Sport is a lovely thing, but it is not everything. I want to be able to go out for a jog with Tilly. I don’t want to miss those lovely moments with her. I’m at a point in my life when that is the most important thing. Tilly is so excited to get her mum back.”

“I would have loved to have gone to Tokyo, but I would have been half the athlete I know I can be. The pain and stress it was causing me meant I wasn’t enjoying it as much.”

Reflecting on her highlights on the track, she added:

“The 2015 world championships in Doha was a bubble. I remember been in holding camp wearing kit and I was so excited. It was a quick intro into that environment. I think it helped that I met my best friend in the sport on that trip – ‘Butters’ (Jo Butterfield). She was my roommate and we just got on straight away. I was nervous but not under real pressure, so I really enjoyed those championships. It is one of my happiest memories.

“I’d say the highlight of my career was definitely winning the 100m in Rio. It was not my favourite event so to win it meant even more. The whole race was an out of body experience – I still can’t actually watch it! The relief was so huge, and my euphoria went through the roof. I felt invincible.

“London 2017 was special in a different type of way. I remember there was a really good crowd in for my heats on Saturday morning. The roar was just amazing. Richard Whitehead told me to use it and I pumped up the crowd, it was unbelievable. To win both races in front of Tilly and my family was also very special. I won’t forget that moment.”

Para Athletics Head Coach, Paula Dunn, added:

“Georgie has achieved so much during her career and made that time count. She has been a great teammate and her retirement will leave a huge gap in the team, not just in terms of her athletic performance, but also as Georgie the individual.

“She has worked very hard with the medical team at British Athletics to overcome and rehab the injuries, but I understand her decision. It is never easy to retire but I understand she is at a point in life where this is the best decision for Georgie and her family, and that is what is most important.

“She retires with several Paralympic, world and European titles to her name, all of which she worked incredibly hard for so she should be very proud of her achievements. Not only has she achieved great results on the track, but she has had to balance that with raising her daughter, Tilly. It is not an easy balance at all, but like us, Tilly will be so proud of what her mum has achieved during her athletics career and I wish them all the best for the future.”

Words courtesy of https://www.britishathletics.org.uk/news-and-features/double-paralympic-champion-georgie-hermitage-announces-retirement-from-athletics/

4th February 2020 0 comment