Great Britain miss target but confident about Tokyo

The head of Britain’s Paralympic athletics programme insists the team are in a strong position heading into Tokyo 2020, despite just missing out on their medal target at the World Para Championships.

Britain matched their third place in the standings from London 2017, but dropped from 39 medals (including 18 golds) to 29 (including 13 golds). Their target of 24 to 28 imposed by UK Sport included only events that will be contested at next year’s Paralympics, effectively reducing the team’s haul in Dubai this week to 23.

Nonetheless, Paul Dunn, Paralympic head coach, is far from concerned, as a number of likely British medal contenders were absent.

“We’ve done exceptionally well,” Dunn said. “The guys have produced lots of personal bests and season’s bests, and some world records. You’re always going to have disappointment but they’ve been minimal here, which is good, 10 months away from Tokyo.

“Jonnie Peacock, Stef Reid, Georgie Hermitage, Dan Greaves, Gemma Prescott and Stephen Miller are all not here – the plan was to get these guys fit and healthy for 2020, so not to rush anything. The medal table says we are still a strong nation. I’m happy and contented.”

Britain ended the competition last night by claiming gold and silver in both the men and women’s race running events. Kayleigh Haggo and Gavin Drysdale won gold in the two RR3 100m finals, with Ellie Simpson and Rafi Solaiman taking silver.

Dunn also insisted British Athletics was doing all it could to help Kadeena Cox after the Paralympic champion revealed she was struggling with a serious eating disorder and told The Daily Telegraph: “This has been the most I’ve struggled with it at a major championships.”

Dunn said: “She’s getting support, not just internally from British Athletics and British Cycling, but externally. She knows it’s going to be a long road to recovery so we’re just going to support her through that.”