Interview with David Smith ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4

27 August 2024

We sat down with David Smith ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Channel 4

Paris 2024 is just around the corner, how are you feeling about it?
I’m really looking forward to it. It’s three years since Tokyo which has gone pretty quickly, but I’m looking forward to playing in front of a crowd again. The Paralympics is the pinnacle of any Para athlete’s career so I’m looking forward to getting out there and throwing some balls.

How has training been going?
It has been going well. There have been a lot of competitions since Tokyo, I defended my European title in 2021 then got a silver at the World Championships in 2022 and a silver again at the European Championships in 2023. Silver is a bit monotonous now and I want to get gold again. I’ve won a couple of world opens this season so I’m back to where I need to be, world number one, world number two – there are a couple of us vying for the top spot, I’m just trying to keep my nose in front.

So you’re feeling ready for Paris?
I am. I’m in good form, I’m playing well so hopefully I can put on a show.

For anyone who doesn’t know, what is boccia?
Boccia is a bowls-type game for anyone with severe physical disabilities. We don’t want to be associated with grandad bowls, boccia is more like snooker. Unlike other bowls games, we don’t play alternate, we play whoever’s furthest away. So it becomes much more tactical and aggressive. It’s cutthroat and very competitive. I think it’s the most competitive Paralympic sport.

What do the Paralympics mean to you?
The Paralympics is the pinnacle of our sport. We get to play in front of a crowd which we don’t always get to do in boccia, so that’s the thing that I focus on, what I try and get myself ready and up for. My first Games was in Beijing and that made me think I could make a career out of being a boccia player, whereas before, I was playing at amateur level. I’ve been playing internationally for 20 years now.

Aside from your own, which other Paralympic events do you look forward to?
Ideally, I won’t be watching many other sports because I’ll still be competing. Boccia is a long competition and runs right the way through the Games. If I end up watching another sport it will be because I’ve been knocked out and I don’t want that to happen. But if I had to choose, it would be wheelchair rugby or wheelchair basketball. The athletics is always great fun with the stadium and the crowds as well.

Have you planned what you’re doing with your hair for this Paralympics?
I haven’t quite decided yet. I want to leave it as late as possible to decide so I’m open to suggestions. Or we might be doing a poll, Boccia UK might run it. I’m trying to persuade my teammates to join me, but they’re a little bit reluctant at the moment. I don’t know why!

We can’t forget you’re going to be in Paris! Have you been before? What’s your favourite thing to do?
This will actually be my first trip to Paris. I was due to go to Paris when I was 15 but, ironically, a boccia competition came up and I ended up going to the Czech Republic rather than doing the French exchange. Hopefully I’ll get to see some of the city. I’d like to see the landmarks so will try and squeeze them in.

Stream and watch live on Channel 4 all day, every day from Wednesday 28th August to Sunday 8th September.