Interview with Will Bayley ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games

28 August 2024

We sat down with Will Bayley ahead of the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. 

Paris 2024 is coming up very soon. How does it feel to be taking part in another Paralympic Games?
It’s so special. It’s my fifth Paralympic Games and it means so much to me. I’ve been through so many ups and downs in my career and I feel like this is my biggest chance to win, so let’s go and do it!

So you’re feeling good?
I’m feeling great. I’ve trained hard and I feel like I’m going to be the best version of me going into Paris. My family are going to be there because it’s so close, so I can’t wait.

What difference does the location make? It’s the first Games on European soil since 2012.
It should make a big difference. It’s so close to home so all our friends and family can come. My biggest opponents are the Chinese and they’ve a long way to travel and they’re going to be in our own backyard again.

What do the Paralympics mean to you?   
They mean so much to me. My first Paralympic Games was Beijing 2008 and I’ve been at every one since. It’s a lot. It means everything to me, it’s my life.

Table tennis is your event but are there other Paralympic events you look forward to? 
I enjoy most of the sports. I enjoy wheelchair basketball, the athletics, wheelchair tennis. I’m looking forward to following my ParalympicsGB teammates.

Tell us a little bit about what it’s like being part of ParalympicsGB. What’s it like in the athletes’ village?
It’s good fun. It’s like a city, it’s so special to be in there and to see all the other countries. You see how big some of the other squads are and how tiny others are. It’s a great environment to be in.

What impact do you think Channel 4 has had on the profile of the Paralympic Games? 
Channel 4 has made a massive difference. Back in Beijing I think only my mum and my grandma knew I was playing, but since Channel 4 took over they really put the Paralympics at the forefront of people’s minds. And that’s what we needed as a Paralympic movement. It’s getting bigger every year and Channel 4 has a lot to do with that.

We can’t forget you’re going to be in Paris! Have you been before? What’s your favourite thing to do?  
I love eating the food in Paris, but I’ll be on a strict diet. The atmosphere in Paris is special and I think that’s what will make these Games special, the Parisian people. The stadiums will be incredible, it makes the hairs on my arms stand up thinking about it.
 
If you manage to sneak any downtime, what do you think you’ll get up to?
I’ll probably have my chill time just in the athletes’ village. It’s such an amazing place to be so I want to spend as much time there as I can.

Finally, how is your French? Can you give us your best phrase?
All I’ve got is bonjour and merci!