More inclusion + more money = more medals
Disability sport boss lays out blueprint for Scotland’s future glory at Games Fachie and Miller lead way
MORE inclusion. More opportunity. More cash.
That’s what’s required to get more golden moments at future Paralympics, Scotland’s parasport supremo claims.
Tokyo bid farewell yesterday and the world said thanks for pulling off two Games in the middle of a global pandemic with barely a hitch.
Scots stars are bringing home 21 medals with golden boys Neil Fachie and Owen Miller heading a haul that also includes nine silvers and 10 bronzes – the best tally since Sydney 2000.
But there’s still work to be done to level the playing field and give kids a sporting chance, says
Scottish Disability Sport boss Gavin Macleod.
He said: “The more money you have the more you can do. But the funding that goes into the governing bodies now is being awarded with an expectation of a more inclusive approach from those governing bodies.
“That approach has changed over the years as well from a government and sportscotland point of view.
“And the focus on being more inclusive in terms of the delivery is much more intense now.
“We can always do more with more resources but things are definitely on the up.”
The British team finished second to China in the overall table with 124 medals across 18 sports, including 41 golds, 38 silvers and 45 bronzes – with bronzes in men’s wheelchair basketball and Krysten Coombs in men’s badminton on the final day rounding off a total that’s short of the 147 from 2016.
ParalympicsGB chief Penny Briscoe said: “I am so proud of what all of our 226 athletes here in Tokyo have achieved over the last 12 days of competition.”