26/07/2024
As much as we congratulate those Para Athletes who have been selected and deserve to have their place.
Gutted is for us is an understatement, after the hard work, successes and the MOST PBs over the last 2 years compared to other athletes.
40 spaces are LEFT for para athletes, and yet British Athletics have left these vacant despite athletes having the qualification standards for the national as well as Paralympic qualifing time... I would love to know why... If it's financial, it's a shame that there isn't a way to raise funds/athletes to self fund.
We can hold our heads high and be proud of what we have achieved.
We have done all we can do, and it simply just came down to selection!
SELECTION......I wanted to share with you all that I have NOT been selected for the Paralympics. I am very saddened and disappointed by this outcome. I feel as though I have let down my friends, family, and my Coach, who have always believed in me and supported me wholeheartedly.
Equally I couldn't have done any more....I met and excelled in all the criteria and times asked of me, Achieving; World Para Athletics Qualifying Times in 400m (by over 4secs) and 200m National Qualifying Times in 400m and 200m
I would have received an invite to compete at the Paralympics from World Para Athletics but that can only be accepted by your home Nation and a broken system within British Athletics, coupled with a lack of funds, has led to me being overlooked.
I have dedicated two years of my life, made significant financial investments in my training and competitions, and sacrificed so much in my personal and family life.
Throughout this journey, I never received any sponsorship or support from England or British Athletics. If I sound bitter about this rejection, it is because I am and I am angry that the professional world of athletics is no longer just about athletic ability but money and a popularity contest.
The poor business management and lack of funding means that athletes like me are let down. This impacts not just me, but Para Sport as a whole, leaving a void in representation and role models for others like me.
With 73 slots available they are only taking 33 athletes!
I want to Thank you all for your unwavering support, I am grateful for each one of you and for following my journey. Fortunately this is not the end of the road for me, I have been fortunate enough to find CrossFit and although I don't yet have a high skill level my fitness from Sprinting and my Coach has carried across and enabled me to qualify for the Adaptive CrossFit Games, taking place in Texas Sept 19th-22nd.
CrossFit is a purely self-funded sport so if your good enough and fit enough you qualify....long may that continue!