ParalympicsGB took a strong squad of 215 athletes to the French capital for the 17 th
Paralympic Games. After a thrilling 11 days of action, Great Britain finished second in the
medal tally with 124 medals including 49 gold. More than half of ParalympicsGB athletes
made it onto the podium with Great Britain failing to medal in just one event – Wheelchair
Rugby. We take a closer look at how some of our local athletes got on in France.
Lauren Steadman
The 31 year-old competed in her fifth Paralympic Games. Originally representing Great
Britain in swimming events at both Beijing 2008 and London 2012, Lauren switched to the
paratriathlon and it paid off as she took home a silver medal in Rio 2016 before taking the
gold medal in Tokyo by a 41 second gap. Lauren grew up near Sawtry before her family
moved to Devon. She was born without the lower half of her right arm.
The three-time World Champion had an unorthodox build-up to the Paris games having
been diagnosed with long Covid in March. Having been cleared to compete a mere six weeks
prior to the games, Steadman revealed she had no expectations for her fifth Paralympics.
Throughout the swimming and cycling thirds of the race, Lauren found herself in front
alongside teammate Claire Cashmore and USA’s Grace Norman. The latter made a
breakaway during the run, and with the GB teammates failing to catch up, they took second
and third, with Lauren clinching a bronze.
Lee Manning
The 34 year-old was part of the men’s wheelchair basketball team. The former Jack Hunt
student was invited to first participate in Great Britain’s camp in 2005 just three months
after taking up the sport with Peterborough Phoenix Club. After missing out on being a
reserve in London 2012, Manning was part of the men’s teams for both Rio 2016 and Tokyo
2020, claiming a bronze medal at both games. The forward, known for his extensive reach,
currently plays for Spanish side BSR Amiab Albacete.
Manning is a 4.5 player; meaning he has the least amount of physical disability of players on
the court. The Great British team were attempting to clinch their first gold medal in the
event as they faced the USA in the gold medal match. Despite clawing back a 12-point gap,
Great Britain lost 73-69. Manning was GB’s top scorer in the final with 21 points and
admitted after the final: “I’m immensely proud. It’s not the medal I wanted but it’s still one
I’ll cherish.”
Jody Cundy
Born in Wisbech, Jody grew up in Norfolk where he joined Kings Lynn Swimming Club. He
was born with a deformed right foot which was amputated when he was 3 years-old but
wears a prosthetic leg. He competed for his local club at the age of 10 before making his
bow for Great Britain just a decade later where he won a gold medal in the 100m butterfly.
This gold medal was the first of 23 international medals he won during his swimming career.
In 2006, Cundy switched to cycling. He broke the world record in Beijing 2008 Paralympics
on his way to winning gold medals in the 1km Time Trial and Team Sprint. In London 2012, on home soil, Cundy failed to retain his 1km Time Trial gold medal as he slipped just after starting. He did manage a bronze medal in the 4km Pursuit. In Rio 2016, he claimed back his
1km Time Trial gold as well as winning gold in the Mixed Team Sprint C1-5. The delayed
Tokyo Paralympics saw Cundy claim a silver medal in the Mixed Team Sprint before claiming
a gold in the C1-5 750m Team Sprint.
He is the first British athlete to medal at seven consecutive games. The 45 year-old finished
4 th in the Men’s 1km time trial C1-5 just over half a second behind bronze medalist Cabello
from Spain. Cundy did clinch glory in the Mixed Team Sprint as he won a gold medal
alongside Jaco Van Gass and Kadeena Cox with a time of 47.738 seconds; a massive 1.826
seconds faster than Spain in silver position.
Matt Skelhon
Originally from Peterborough, Matt began shooting at 11 years-old at Whittlesey Rifle Club;
whom he is now the club president of. His love for the sport grew and he began competing
in 2006 when he joined the Disabled Target Shooting Association aged 16. Just 18 months
later, Skelhon competed at his first Paralympics (Beijing 2008) and claimed Great Britain’s
first gold medal in shooting for 28 years when he won the R3 10m Air Rifle mixed SH1.
In London 2012, Skelhon couldn’t retain his gold medal but claimed a silver medal in front of
a home crowds. He also claimed a bronze medal in the R6 50m Air Rifle mixed SH1. In Rio
2016, Matt finished 7 th in the 50m air rifle final but failed to qualify for the 10m final, before
failing to qualify in either finals in Tokyo 2020. Having entered Paris as European Champion,
the 34 year-old ranked fifth in the 10m final but failed to advance into the 50m final.
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