Paralympian shares road to recovery at Cambridge brain injury forum
George Peasgood sustained a traumatic brain injury in 2022
A Paralympian who sustained a traumatic brain injury two years ago believes not all young people may ever be aware of the risks involved.
George Peasgood - who won silver and bronze in the triathlon and cycling events at Tokyo 2020 - was involved in a bike crash in 2022 which led to being in a coma for seven weeks.
The 28-year-old has been speaking at an International Neurotrauma Society conference in Cambridge, looking into the links between sports brain injuries and concussion.
"I think it's key for other sporting athletes and future sportspeople because it just shows what can happen and what needs to be done to protect and mitigate it (the risks)," said Peasgood.
"I think it's improving (message to young people) because it's (the safety risks) getting more awareness; it's not quite as a good as it could be but it's never going to be the best."
Technology 'only reason I survived'
Peasgood was joined alongside Dawn Astle, daughter of former West Bromwich Albion and England striker Jeff Astle at the Cambridge Corn Exchange for the conference.
Dawn helped set up the Jeff Astle Foundation in memory of her dad, known to be the first British professional footballer to die from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a progressive brain disease linked to repeated blows to the head.
She was also at the conference, led by Professor Willie Stewart, neuropathologist at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and a brain injury researcher.
The Paralympic medallist shared his story of recovery so far, from a crash that almost took his life.
"I think the only reason I survived was because my helmet had a neurotechnology called MIPS (multi-directional impact protection system), which reduces the rotation of forces on the brain," he said.
"I do struggle day to day and a lot of it is psychological but physical, so I think it's important to get people more aware of injuries that can happen, not just at speed."