UEA sports inclusivity expert warns aspiring Paralympians face a range of challenges
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris runs between Wednesday 28th August and Sunday 8th September
An expert in physical education at the University of East Anglia is telling us that aspiring Paralympians are facing a range of challenges, which could be holding them back from fulfilling their dreams.
It's as the Paralympic Games in Paris gets underway tomorrow evening - with Norfolk's Alfie Hewett hoping to go one better than his silver in the Men's Wheelchair doubles in Tokyo.
"That represents a real challenge"
Dr Kate Russell is an Associate Professor at the uni: "The visibility is so important, the saying of 'if you can see it, you can be it', is really important. It's important for all ages, but especially the younger ones.
"The increase in diversity is also important in para-sports.
"If you need a particular type of wheelchair for example, to participate in a sport then these are expensive bits of kit. Therefore, if there isn't the funding there to help with that it can be a limiter to their potential."
She says some of these challenges are 'geographical': "I'm working with a wheelchair Rugby player at the moment and the teams don't really live in East Anglia.
"That represents a real challenge because then what's the option for them to be compete at the level that they need to, in order for them to get into the elite pathway?"
The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris runs between Wednesday the 28th of August and Sunday the 8th of September.