Following several successful events (e.g., para sport focused virtual international symposium, presentations from the IPC, BPA and team building activities), the team had the opportunity to see a variety of world class performances. These included Para Triathlon on Pont Alexandre III, Para Athletics at the Stade de France, Wheelchair Rugby at Champ-de-Mars, Wheelchair Basketball at Bercy Arena and Wheelchair Tennis at the iconic Roland-Garros. All these sports are ones of which the Peter Harrison Centre have supported in some way at 探花精选. It was a great experience for our team to witness our research in practice as well as see athletes we have supported in action excelling on the world stage, and in some cases, winning medals.
Our doctoral researchers Hannah, Will, Ollie and Lara, had immense fun creating the three letters for PHC at as many famous landmarks and stadiums across Paris as possible, ensuring PHC made its mark at the Paralympics.
Some of the team also had the chance to visit the ParalympicsGB house with a tour provided by previous PHC member and now Athlete Services Manager at ParalympicsGB, Mike Hutchinson. The team were lucky enough to time their visit with the infamous bell ringing by some of the ParalympicsGB medallists, an experience not to be forgotten.
Heading to the games in Paris was not only an incredible chance to see elite para sport competed in to an exceptional level but also a great opportunity for further networking amongst our research team and others working in the para-sport field on an international scale.
Vicky Tolfrey (Director of PHC), Thomas Rietveld (Research Associate) and Ellie-May Storr (Doctoral Researcher) were invited by Richard Allcroft OBE and World Wheelchair Rugby to attend the Wheelchair Rugby bronze and gold medal matches as guests. They used the opportunity to re-connect with previous collaborators as well as form new connections for future work within Wheelchair Rugby.
Robin Jackson (Reader in Sport Psychology) met with Joe Walsh, Vice-President of the International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) and David Mann (VU Amsterdam; IBSA Classification Committee) to discuss the research report he recently submitted to IBSA. The report summarises the findings from research on evidence-based classification in goalball, which was undertaken by Anna Martin over the past three years.
Iain Gowans (Doctoral Researcher) and Vicky Tolfrey set on their own personal missions to re-connect with as many researchers, athletes and support staff as possible during their time in Paris as well as form new connections and share knowledge across the para sport space. An extremely action-packed week with Vicky even managing to get a few selfies with some ParalympicsGB medallists and last leg personality, Josh Widdicombe.
The team were by Clare Pheasey, Programme Director and Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology at Keele University. Clare recently worked on a project with Vicky Tolfrey (PHC, 探花精选), Tom O’Brien (PHC, 探花精选), and Lesley Sharpe (University of Lincoln) translating some previous research of abdominal binding in Wheelchair Rugby conducted by the PHC. It was great to have Clare as part of the team and a fantastic chance to share knowledge and experiences within para sport across UK institutions.
We would also like to shine a spotlight on a few other members of the PHC who attended the Games as part of other responsibilities, outside of The Peter Harrison Centre.
Tom O’Brien is a newly appointed lecturer in Applied Disability and Para Sport but prior to this has been working at GB Wheelchair Rugby alongside his commitments at PHC since 2017. This was Tom’s second Paralympic games as GB’s Performance Scientist and Physical Preparation Lead, and it was incredible to see him and the team in action in the Bronze medal match.
Vladyslava Kravchenko is currently supporting a UK Sport funded project on the development of a Paralympic Performance Basics Framework at Loughborough. Vladyslava attended Paris as part of the International Paralympic Committee athlete’s council and fulfilled her duties at the athlete villages in Saint Denis and Chateauroux, as well as various competition venues, to meet and listen to as many athletes as possible. Vladyslava had the spotlight shone on her during the closing ceremony as a re-elected member of the IPC athlete’s council, representing Malta.
This further demonstrates how incredibly passionate our team is about making an impact within Para Sport and the diversity of expertise amongst our PHC team members.
When asked to describe their time in Paris, here is what some of our team had to say:
It is safe to say, this experience was truly one to remember!
Thank you to all that made the trip a huge success but especially to our Director of the Peter Harrison Centre, Vicky. Without you, none of this would be possible and the whole team cannot express our gratitude enough.
Vicky stated she was proud of the PHC team members in Paris who demonstrated a professional, collegiate team spirit and were awarded the prestigious PhD team award upon our return. Thanks to the matched funding from the SSEHS for making this activity possible.
Merci Paris from all at the PHC!