The Commonwealth Games 2022 are underway, hosting the largest para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history. As the first fully inclusive international multi-sport games, it is fantastic to see adults with cerebral palsy competing.
Hetty Bartlett is one the cerebral palsy athletes that represented England in the 100 metres sprint. Hetty took part in the Tokyo Paralympics when competing in the long jump event, and took part in the 100m sprint at the Commonwealth Games on August 2nd.
Likewise, Ross Paterson will be taking part in the 100 metres sprint on August 3rd, competing for Scotland at the young age of 23, after winning multiple races around Europe, including a 400m silver medal at the 2018 World Para Athletics European Championships in Germany.
Rio Boothe, an athlete with cerebral palsy and an aspiring Paralympian shares his thoughts:
“The Commonwealth Games represents a breakthrough for para sports, by being included alongside the mainstream event schedule, and being counted in the medal tally. We haven’t seen this at a major sports event before. Having said that, it’s unfortunate that there are certain classifications within the athletics and the swimming events that aren’t being represented.
Nevertheless, this increased visibility and status for para sports is to be celebrated. It allows people to get an insight into para sports beyond seeing them at the Paralympics, and further inspires people with disabilities to get into sport themselves.”
It was also fantastic to see Asa Marshal, a model, song-writer and disability campaigner, living with cerebral palsy, taking part in the opening and closing ceremonies at the Commonwealth Games as a placard bearer. This follows her previous performance in front of 30,000 people at the opening ceremony of the Paralympics 2012 in London.
We look forward to following the Commonwealth Games until Monday 8 August.
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