British Paralympians inspire at Sports Fest

The event, free to the public, gave people a chance to try out Paralympic sports and explore ways they can get involved.

The inaugural ParalympicsGB Sports Fest concluded on Tuesday (4 December) and was attended by hundreds of disability

sports enthusiasts and dozens of Paralympians.

More than 1,000 people attended the two-day event, double the amount organisers had originally anticipated.

The event, free to the public, gave people a chance to try out Paralympic sports and explore ways they can get involved. All of the 22 summer sports and most of the winter sports were present to showcase opportunities.

"It has been so great to be here today to see so many people potentially start their sporting futures." Paralympic gold medallist Jonnie Peacock told ParalympicsGB.

"I originally didn't want to try sport. I was worried I wouldn't be very good, but it’s important to try things and that's what people are doing here today. I would always encourage people to do sport, it's changed my life. Attending a day like today will always change your life, whether you find a sport that you can be a Paralympian in or whether you find a sport that you want to do at a level that suits you.

"To see so many people here, it's clear that the festival has unquestionably been a fantastic success."

Triple gold medallist at London, equestrian rider Sophie Christiansen, agreed.

"Today, we brought a mechanical horse with us so that we could give lots of people an insight into what it's really like to ride,” she said. “It's proven really popular, which is exciting. I enjoy competing a lot but it is nice to come to a day like this where I can share my love for my sport with others."

Paralympic gold and silver medallist Mark Colbourne (gold and silver medallist), as well as bronze medallists Ross Wilson (table tennis) and Ben Quilter (judo), were also in attendance.