… as CLARE BALDING looks forward to the excitement of the Tokyo Paralympics
ON THE ‘HUGELY EXCITING’ GAMES, HER TOP TIPS FOR GLORY AND WHY SHE CAN’T WAIT FOR A STAYCATION
For sports fans missing the thrill and excitement of the Olympics, the action from Tokyo isn’t over yet. After a spectacular medal haul for Team GB, the focus is now firmly on the Paralympics, which kick off in the Japanese capital this week on 23 August. Guiding us through it all is Clare Balding, who’s hosting Channel 4’s coverage alongside a stellar line- up of presenters, including wheelchair basketball star Ade Adepitan, TV and radio’s Vick Hope and former Royal Marine and Strictly Come Dancing contestant JJ Chalmers.
“The Paralympic athletes work so hard and get relatively little attention or competition opportunities, so it’s hugely exciting that the Games are on and that they all get their chance to win a gold medal,” says Clare, 50, catching up with hello! ahead of the fortnight-long spectacle. “ParalympicsGB is really strong, but I’m so excited about Emma Wiggs in paracanoe. She’s won eight world championship and five European championship titles, as well as the Paralympic title in the 200m KL2. “Also Sir Lee Pearson and Natasha Baker in the dressage are both extraordinarily consistent at the highest level. Pearson has won 14 Paralympic medals, 11 of them gold, and Baker has won five gold medals from her appearances in London and Rio.”
WATCHING FROM AFAR
Clare will be leading the show from the UK, presenting live from Leeds. “Originally, I was going to Tokyo for both the Olympics and Paralympics. But with the lack of access to the athletes, no friends and family out there, no fans and the quarantine restrictions, it makes far more sense to be here in the UK.
“I did some filming in Japan once for a programme called Operation Wild, but I only spent an overnight in Tokyo before an early flight home. It’s such a huge, brightly lit and busy city, but all I really remember is the heated loo seat with so many buttons that I didn’t know what was going to happen when I pressed them. Suffice to say, I got a surprise!”
This is the sixth Paralympics Clare has been involved in and she is impressed with how they have developed over the years.
“The Games have progressed so much since I started in Sydney in 2000,” she says. “The depth of talent, the range of events, the level of awareness and investment in our athletes is so much better.”
As well as presenting, Clare is also supporting a campaign by children’s hair and skincare brand Childs Farm, which has released a limited-edition toiletries range exclusively at Sainsbury’s that is backing ParalympicsGB.
“I’ve known Joanna [ Jensen], who is the founder of Childs Farm, for a long time, and I think it’s crucial to raise awareness of the different types of sport and the different athletes, and if we can do that using shampoo and moisturiser to help raise funds and awareness for para-athletes, then I think that’s a pretty creative way of spreading the message to all corners,” she says, adding with a smile: “I also love that they’ve used para-athletes on the packaging and really highlight the unique aspect of the campaign.”
Covering the Paralympics follows hot on the heels of Clare’s time presenting at Wimbledon and the Olympics, so what does she have planned next? “It’s been a busy couple of months,” she says. “To be honest, I’ll be looking forward to a holiday here in the UK!”
The Childs Farm limited- edition range is exclusively available at Sainsbury’s; visit childsfarm.com.