SCOTLAND’S Paralympians have been congratulated for their “inspirational” performances by the First Minister as the Games draw to a close in Paris.
A total of 21 Scottish athletes took part in the Games in the French capital securing 11 gold medals, eight silver and one bronze, contributing to Team GB’s overall total of 124.
Athletes from Scotland broke numerous records in pursuit of gold medals, including swimmer Stephen Clegg who set a world record time in the S12 backstroke and wheelchair racer Sammi Kinghorn who set a new Paralympic record for the women’s T53 100m.
Jenny Holl also set a world record in piloting for Sophie Unwin in the women’s B 3000m individual cycling pursuit while Ben Sandilands set a world record as he claimed gold in the T20 1500m.
“I want to pay tribute to and congratulate all of the ParalympicsGB squad, including the 21 Scots on the team, for your performances in Paris,” said John Swinney.
“You are all athletes at the top of your field, and Scotland has been cheering you on throughout these Games.
“Your performances will inspire people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities to take up sport, achieve their own goals and become more active in their own lives. The next generation will be inspired by where you are now, and the Scottish Government and partners will work to ensure there will be opportunities for them to follow suit.”
Other Scottish gold medals included Hamilton’s Stephen McGuire winning the BC4 men’s individual boccia title and Nathan McQueen of Dumfries who partnered Jodie Grinham in winning the archery mixed team compound final.
Forbes Dunlop, CEO of sportscotland, said: “There have been some extremely strong performances from our athletes, including personal bests, Paralympic and world records and a very impressive haul of medals, demonstrating the enormous level of commitment and talent across the team.
“All of this success is down to years of hard work from the athletes, their coaches and their wider support teams including Scottish Governing Bodies of Sport and the sportscotland institute of sport and we are proud to be part of the ‘team behind team’ supporting the athletes.”
Gavin Macleod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, said: “Congratulations to all the Scottish Paralympians and their significant support networks in Paris.
“The performances are testimony to the inclusive approach Scottish governing bodies of sport are taking to ensuring para-athletes are supported.
“Not all of us will be able to reach the heights of these international high-performance athletes however, what we can do is commit to working in partnership to ensure that children, young people and adults can access quality PE, comprehensive sporting opportunities and the chance to move more every day.”
