As the world turns its attention back to Paris for the 2024 Paralympic Games, three athletes with ties to the University of Bristol are preparing to showcase their talents in badminton, boccia and triathlon.
Sally Kidson: Boccia's rising talent
Sally is making her Paralympic debut in boccia, a sport similar to bowls which was introduced to the Paralympics in 1984, in the BC3 classification. Sally, who begins her studies in Music at Bristol this September, will contend in the individual competition, which starts on Thursday 29 August, and the pair categories, alongside Will Arnott.
She sees the Paralympics as just the beginning of her sporting journey: "This is only my second full international season, I am an absolute newbie on the international boccia stage."
"I first started playing boccia at my secondary school in PE lessons. I started to play competitively in 2019 before the pandemic. I then made my international debut in 2022."
Despite her youth, Sally is approaching the Games with a mature perspective. She added: "The most frequent piece of advice I get given is to just enjoy the experience, and so that's what I fully intend on doing."
“A minuscule percentage of the population get to experience competing at the Paralympic Games and I didn't expect to be qualifying for one so soon. I’m also feel very lucky that my family are able to come out and watch."
Sally, who has just beaten the world number 1and 2, said: “Obviously I would love to come home with a medal but the aim for me is to go and continue the positive momentum I’ve kicked off over the last couple of months.”
Athletes are known for their rituals and Sally is no exception. She said: “My ramp operator and I have a handshake - admittedly a very poor one, we need to improve it one day - that we do at the beginning of every end.”
Will we see her at future game? Yes, she says: "I have so much that I want to achieve and I definitely want to go to LA; in a way, Paris is the bonus."
Michael Taylor: Triaging and Triathlon
Currently pursuing a medical degree at Bristol, Michael is set to compete in the triathlon on Sunday 1 September. His path to the Paralympics began after a life-changing injury, which led him to discover triathlon while watching the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games during his recovery.
Michael said: "I saw triathlon and I thought that looked like a good, a fun thing to do. Both my medical and triathlon training represent mental and physical challenges. Both were goals I set myself after my injury, something to work towards. I’ve got two years left of my medical degree and I’d like to specialise in radiology or anaesthetics."
"I think the good thing about triathlon is you get outside a lot. It's quite a social sport. You can make time to go and have bike rides and runs with friends, which makes it a lot more fun. I think I feel a lot fitter and you know, I'm feeling in good form.”
Unlike in Tokyo, Michael will compete in front of a large crowd of family and friends. He added: “Even though this is my second Games I didn’t really feel like I had the real experience last time with the pandemic. I’m looking forward to seeing all their faces when I get to the finish line.”
Dan Bethell: Badminton's big rivalry
Rounding off the Bristol contingent is Dan Bethell, a University of Bristol Law Graduate, who will be competing in badminton's SL3 classification, starting on Thursday 29 August. Dan, who won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, is hoping to go one better in Paris. His intense rivalry with gold medallist Pramod Bhagat has lit up the badminton world, and Dan will be hoping to get his revenge in front of his family and friends.
As the Paralympic flame is lit in Paris on August 28, 2024, these three athletes will carry with them the pride of the University of Bristol community.