Welsh Paralympians hope to maintain medal success
A mix of World and European champions, along with first-time Paralympians, will be aiming to keep up a proud history of elite success for Welsh disabled athletes at the Paralympic Games in Rio.
Twenty-six Welsh athletes have been selected as part of the 264 ParalympicsGB squad, making up a significant 10% of the Great Britain representation.
At London 2012, 38 athletes picked up a total of 16* medals, contributing towards 15** of the ParalympicsGB medal total.
Sport Wales has set a medal target of 20-30 Paralympic medals over the Rio and Tokyo Games.
Some of Wales’ greatest sportsmen and women such as Dame Tanni Grey Thompson and David Roberts have excelled at previous Paralympics Games.
Amongst those hoping to emulate them in Rio, include Aled Sion Davies, Hollie Arnold, Aaron Moores and many more.
“We’re very proud to have 26 Welsh athletes selected for the Paralympics,” said Jon Morgan, executive director of Disability Sport Wales.
“Elite sport in Great Britain is extremely competitive and we agreed a target with Sport Wales of making up 7% of the ParalympicsGB team. To get 10% is very pleasing and a credit to the structures we have in place and the backroom team involved.
“Para-sport has never been as competitive and it is increasingly difficult to win medals. It’s rare to get individual multi-medals now because athletes specialise in individual disciplines.
“We have a group of athletes that includes world champions, European champions, world record holders and Paralympic medallists.
“We also have teenagers like Sabrina Fortune and Jack Hodgson who will be making their Paralympic debuts. These are bright hopes for the future as we aim to keep winning medals on the biggest stage.”
With the support of Disability Sport Wales there are now more than 1 million community participation opportunities annually, around 750 clubs and nearly 5,000 coaches and volunteers in Welsh disability sport.
Brian Davies, Director of Elite Sport at Sport Wales, commented;
“Being selected for a Paralympic Games is a significant acheivement and I have to congratulate each athlete for the dedication they have shown.
“Over many years our Paralympians have been an inspiration and a major success story in elite sport.
“They all have the opportunity to make their mark on the Games and produce more highlights in what has been an amazing summer so far for Welsh sport.”
Notes
*16 individual medals contributing 15 medals to ParalympicsGB. **16 medallists as 2 medallists in women’s 4 x 100m relay.
|
Aled Sion Davies |
Gold |
Athletics – F42 Discus |
|
Josie Pearson |
Gold |
Athletics – F31/32/51 |
|
Mark Colbourne |
Gold |
Cycling – C1 Ind Pursuit |
|
|
|
|
|
Mark Colbourne |
Silver |
Cycling – C1 – C3 Time Trial |
|
Mark Colbourne |
Silver |
Cycling Road – C1 – C3 Time Trial |
|
Nyree Kindred |
Silver |
Swimming – S6 Backstroke |
|
Aaron Moores |
Silver |
Swimming – S14 Backstroke |
|
|
|
|
|
Aled Sion Davies |
Bronze |
Athletics – F42/44 Shot Putt |
|
Claire Williams |
Bronze |
Athletics – F12 Discus |
|
Beverley Jones |
Bronze |
Athletics – F37 Discus |
|
Jenny McLoughlin |
Bronze |
Athletics – T35-38 4 x 100m Relay |
|
Olivia Breen |
Bronze |
Athletics – T35-38 4 x 100m Relay |
|
Rachel Morris |
Bronze |
Cycling Road – H1 – 3 Road Race |
|
Sara Head |
Bronze |
Table Tennis – Class – 1–3 Team Event |
|
Paul Davies |
Bronze |
Table Tennis – Class 1 Individual |
|
Liz Johnson |
Bronze |
Swimming – 100m SB6 Breaststroke |
