Team GB did the County Proud.
In 2024, Paris hosted the Paralympic Games, broadcast in more than 160 countries and territories. Team GB did the County Proud, bringing home a chest full of medals.
Medal Count for Team GB
Team GB did really well, coming second in the medal table. Only China was able to climb higher and win more medals than us. Team GB made the country proud and had a fantastic team that accumulated an impressive total of 124 medals, with 49 gold, 44 silver and 31 bronze — indeed a verry impressive medal count.
Growing Popularity makes us Proud
Team GB made us proud. The growing popularity of disability sports is a potent tool for empowerment. Twenty-two fast and grippingly entertaining sports have gained visibility in the summer Paralympic programme. The games are a significant step towards inspiring the 1.3 billion people worldwide with a significant disability.
What Sports
What sports are among the events? Wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball are just two of the highly engaging sports. However, the list of 22 sports at the Paralympic games includes swimming, archery, boccia para-cycling, wheelchair racing, wheelchair tennis, Taekwondo and many more.
But the Sad Truth
But the sad truth is that many disabled people globally will have never had a chance to take part in these sports – mainly because of the cost of equipment.
A specialist wheelchair is needed to enhance the athlete’s performance. If the athlete wants to perform at their best, they need these tools, although these pieces of equipment can cost thousands. They are built with the highest-quality material and modelled to the user’s posture, so the wheelchair becomes part of them. If they move, it responds.
It’s fair to say that these pieces of specialist equipment, which are an aid but built correctly to enhance the player’s performance, can cost an astonishing amount. This can deter people from participating. If private funding is difficult, sponsorship and support from organisations and charities can help fund the cost of the equipment.
Participating in Sport Gives
Participating in a sport offers more than just fitness. It has many other benefits as well. Spending time with peers is vital to leading a healthy life. Mentally and physically. But the cost of equipment can be the main reason why people are unable to take part.
What About Getting Around?
As the Paralympics were held in 2024, it is assumed that everything was accessible. Unless you were there, you would never know if there were any challenges for people to need to use wheelchair skills. I’ve been twice, not for the sports. Using my wheelchair skills to negotiate the city.
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