ParalympicsGB calls on UK government to improve accessibility to school sport for disabled people following Paris Games
Published 09/09/2024 at 09:22 GMT
ParalympicsGB finished in second place in the medal table at Paris 2024, where they equalled their tally of 124 medals from Tokyo three years ago. They achieved more golds, though, with 49 won overall. Following their success, the squad has written an open letter to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for greater access to school sport for disabled youngsters in the United Kingdom.
ParalympicsGB
Image credit: Getty Images
ParalympicsGB has urged the UK government to not leave disabled children “on the sidelines” by ensuring they have equal access to school sport.
It comes after a hugely successful Games in Paris, where the British squad finished in second place in the medal table - behind China - for the third successive Paralympics.
They equalled their tally of 124 medals from Tokyo three years ago, but a higher number of gold medals made it a more successful outcome.
49 golds were won by ParalympicsGB, with 44 silver and 31 bronze medals also delivered in the French capital.
Perhaps even more impressively, ParalympicsGB took a podium place in 18 of the 19 sports in which they were represented, with wheelchair rugby being the only sport in which they did not medal.
Attention has now turned to the future of Para sport in Britain, with an open letter being sent to Prime Minister Keir Starmer to push for greater accessibility to sporting activity within schools.
“Over the last 11 days at Paris 2024, the ParalympicsGB team have been energised by the incredible support from the UK public, both back home and at the venues where British fans were loud and proud,” the letter said.
Swimmer Poppy Maskill won three gold medals and two silvers for ParalympicsGB in Paris
Image credit: Getty Images
“As Paralympians, and as disabled people, we are more determined than ever to use this platform to do all we can to prevent the next generation of children being left on the sidelines in the birthplace of the Paralympic movement.
“Just 1 in 4 disabled children say they take part regularly in sport at school. There are 1.5 million disabled children - 15% of the school population - and it is shocking that such a large number of young people do not have the chance to participate in sport and develop and grow as a result.
“We are heartened by your support for the Equal Play campaign and we are asking you to act now to ensure every child has the same access to PE at school. Your government has a unique opportunity to shift the dial so that by the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games, no disabled child faces this discrimination.
“Now is the time for a clear plan from across Government with concrete steps for change. We need to:
- Empower teachers with the right tools, understanding and resources to deliver truly inclusive PE.
- Adapt teacher training to ensure the next generation of teachers have the skills and confidence to deliver truly inclusive PE.
- Redefine how PE is seen within the school curriculum, ensuring it becomes a priority across the education system.
- Increase the number of disabled people entering the teaching profession.
“We are ready to work with you to deliver this.”
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