Paralympians arrive back in UK amid calls for more school support for disabled athletes

Posted by author September 9, 2024 Sports

The first Paralympians have arrived back in the UK after the Paris Games came to an end on Sunday.

Great Britain finished second in the medal table, having secured 49 gold medals, 44 silver and 31 bronze.

It’s the third games in a row that Great Britain and Northern Ireland have finished second in the table and is its highest medal haul since Rio 2016.

Swimmer Maisie Summers-Newton – who came away with two gold medals and a bronze – was among the first to arrive into London St Pancras station on the Eurostar.

Alice Tai, who was among ParalympicsGB’s most decorated athletes at the games, also stopped for photos.

The 25-year-old from Poole in Dorset secured two gold medals, a silver and two bronze at La Defense Arena.

Upon their return to the UK, ParalympicsGB sent an open letter to the prime minister calling for disabled children to have equal access to school sport.

During the 11-day competition, a number of athletes made the “equals” sign as part of their Equal Play campaign.

In its letter, ParalympicsGB said it was “more determined than ever” to prevent the next generation of children being left on the sidelines.

According to the letter, only one in four disabled children say they regularly take part in sport at school.

The calls include empowering PE teachers with the right tools to deliver inclusive lessons, adapt teacher training, redefine how PE is seen and increase the number of disabled people entering the teaching profession.

Sir Keir Starmer‘s government has an opportunity to “shift the dial” by the Los Angeles Paralympic Games in 2028, so that no child faces discrimination in sport, ParalympicsGB added.

Sky News has asked the Department for Culture, Media and Sport for its response.