Paralympian Peacock hails event to find new talent
100m champion Johnnie Peacock lends his backing to a new event, planned for December, which aims to find Great Britain’s next generation of Paralympians.
The ParalympicsGB Sports Fest will be held on 3 and 4 December.
The major sports festival, to be held at Surrey Sports Park in Guildford, will introduce disabled people to the different Paralympic events.
Jonnie Peacock, the T44 100m Paralympic champion who was first spotted at a talent day back in 2008, is set to attend.
He said: “I am a walking example of how sport can change your life for the better.
“Sport has totally shaped the person I am today. I went to a BPA talent day when I was 15 years old and I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do.
“Sport gave me some direction. I am not saying that everyone can go on and win a Paralympic medal, but the process of getting more active or taking up a sport at a local club can definitely have a big impact on your life.”
Great Britain’s Paralympians took home 120 medals from the 2012 Games, including 34 gold, 43 silver and 43 bronze.
BPA Chief Executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “This is not just about seeing who is out there who could one day pull on a ParalympicsGB vest, this is about giving people the chance to see what is out there that works for them.
“For some it might be coaching, officiating or volunteering, for others just the joy of taking part.”
Anyone interested in attending the free festival of sport can go online – at www.paralympics.org.uk/sportsfest – to sign up.
