It’s been an incredible Paralympic Games and I’ve loved watching all of the action whether it be on the track, on the court, in the water or the arena.
I’m definitely biased, so for me the highlight of the Games has to be what’s been happening in Paris’s La Défense Arena.
ParalympicsGB swimmers have won 23 medals so far in the pool, 14 of which have been gold. It’s just incredible.
I got quite emotional when I saw Brock Whiston win gold in the SM8 200m Individual Medley on Sunday. Her post-race interview after she’d won silver a couple of days earlier has gone viral because it showed the raw emotion that sport ignites. To watch her then take the top spot at the weekend was a real highlight.
I know the journey she has been on to get to that point and she’s had to overcome a lot of obstacles, so I was absolutely delighted for her.
That moment is closely followed by Grace Harvey winning her gold just a few hours later. I’ve known her for a long time so that makes it so much more special.
This dominance hasn’t happened by chance, it’s because of sustained investment into sport
There have been so many amazing moments in Paris and to see ParalympicsGB be competitive in so many different sports and events is incredible. This dominance hasn’t happened by chance, it’s because of sustained investment into sport which has been made possible by funds generated by every single person who plays The National Lottery.
We’re very fortunate that we go to the Games as the best prepared nation. We get to the starting block and we know we’ve had the best preparation to get there. The best coaches, nutritionists and sports science support. That is all because of National Lottery investment. It allows us to build the strongest support team possible.
And the future certainly looks bright for our swimmers and more broadly across the Paralympic sports.
London 2012 definitely changed perceptions about what someone with a disability can achieve and we must continue that momentum. The essence of the Paralympics is about giving people opportunities at every level and if we do that, the sky’s the limit.
National Lottery players raise more than £30 million a week for good causes.
