Three-time Peterborough Paralympian is kicking off his Paris Games today.
Lee manning is part of the team GB wheelchair basketball team that play Germany at 9:30 this morning.
Last updated 29th Aug 2024
A Three-time Paralympian from Peterborough is kicking off his Paris Games today.
Lee Manning is part of the team GB wheelchair basketball team that plays Germany at 9:30 this morning.
He started playing wheelchair basketball in 2005 for the local club the Peterborough Phoenix after a taster session at school.
The Peterborough-born athlete got his first junior GB call-up in 2006 at the U22 European championships.
He competed at both Rio and Tokyo
Manning was named the first reserve in the London 2012 Paralympics and missed out on playing despite assisting the Sheffield Steelers to win the IWBF Europe Challenge Cup that year.
During the 2012/2013 season, Manning obtained his first professional contract for Italian Club Santo Stefano, making an impact on the Italian League topping the Field Goal percentage (63%) and helping Santo Stefano to finish in the final four for the first time in 5 years.
The now three-time Paralympian has competed at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 winning a bronze medal at both.
Manning was co-captain of the GB Men’s team who won silver at last year’s World Championships.
He told us: “The team is in a really good place now.
The one thing I’m missing is that paralympic gold
“We’ve got so much experience within the squad. We have a great bunch of people that all offer leadership in different ways, it doesn’t always have to be the screaming, the shouting, the motivator. Sometimes it can just be the class clown offering that moment of humour to the squad.
“Here we are now at my third games, it's unbelievably special. Every single time it’s a new experience and a new journey with different memories.
“In terms of my personal medal collection the one thing I’m missing is that paralympic gold.
And the GB wheelchair basketball we’ve unfortunately never been able to get that gold. To be in the position to truly challenge for that gold is something special. We deserve it.
“Looking out the window into the village, it's breathtaking and amazing. You really feel a part of something special. It's going to be a really exciting game.
“I wanted to say a massive thank you for all the support that we’ve received throughout the years. It means the world to all of us, and we wouldn’t be in the position we are now.”