Discover > Speaker Type: Athlete
Paralympic torch lighting
Tim talks about how the Paralympic torch lighting ceremony at Stoke Mandeville began, and the impact it has had on the world.
The pact that led to para sport
Tim tells the story of a pact that first got him into Paralympic sport.
Inspiration of wheelchair athletes
Mike recalls catching sight of athletes practising wheelchair archery from the window of a steam train on his way to RAF Halton as a teenager. A few years later, he took part in the games for the first time himself.
World records
Kevan is reminded that world records are ‘on loan’ to their holders until the next one comes along.
Hospital care in the 1960s
John describes being on ward 1X at the NSIC in 1964, and still returns for treatment to this day.
Accommodation for the 1984 Games
John describes the experience of staying at the William Harding School with other athletes when competing at the 1984 Paralympic Games.
The Old Huts
Ernie describes the accommodation in the old huts at the early Games, sleeping outside in the summertime, and athletes playing pranks on one another.
Persevering as a competitor
Allen talks about the perseverance he learnt from taking part in the Stoke Mandeville Games.
Incredible success of the Paralympic Movement
Allen talks about Dr Guttmann’s vision and the incredible success of the Paralympic movement.
The last minute Games
Allen remembers the 1984 Games being cancelled and then moved to Stoke Mandeville
Meeting Prince Charles
Allen remembers meeting Prince Charles at the opening ceremony for the 1984 Games and giving him his cap
London 2012 Paralympics legacy
Tim talks about the legacy of London 2012 and its coverage by Channel 4.
How the focus of sport can help
Tim describes receiving his diagnosis of Retinitis Pigmentosa, and how elite swimming helped him through.
Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s vision
Tim talks about the story of Stoke Mandeville and Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s vision.
Sports wheelchair development
Rick discusses the effect of contantly evolving sports wheelchair design on the disabled community.
Choosing your own path
Paul shares the poor careers advice he received at school, and how he proved the adviser wrong.
Encouraging up and coming athletes
Paul gives his advice to young people embarking on a sporting career.
Media representation of Paralympians
Paul talks about how media representations of Paralympic athletes have changed over time.
Atmosphere at the 1984 Paralympics
Paul remembers the crowd going wild for the England team at the 1984 Games in Stoke Mandeville.
Recollections of the 1982 ski marathon
Mike describes his experience at the Engadin ski marathon in 1982, and the inner reserves he had to call on to complete the race.
Winning gold at the 2020/1 gold
Lora talks about the moments before and after her Paralympic gold win at Tokyo 2020/1 - 16 minutes after her husband Neil Fachie also won gold.
Becoming a World Champion
Lora describes the feeling of becoming World Champion for the first time and her continued thirst for improvement.
Attitudes to disability sport
Lora talks about how attitudes towards disabled sport have changed over the course of her career.
Embarking on a para sport journey
John gives his advice to a young person starting out on a sporting career.
Friendships at the Games
John talks about the camaraderie at the Games and the lifelong friendships made at Stoke Mandeville.
Competing in Berlin
John remembers competing at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, where Jesse Owens famously won his Olympic gold medals in 1936.
Treatment at Stoke Mandeville
John tells the story of his spinal injury and hospitalisation at Stoke Mandeville.
Winning gold at the 1984 Games
John tells the story of his record-breaking gold medal discus throw at the 1984 Games.
What Stoke Mandeville means to me
Caz talks about Stoke Mandeville as the place in the world she felt most at home in her life.
How accessibility has changed
Caz reflects on the changes to accessibility and attitudes towards disability during her lifetime.
Winning silver in 1990
Allen remembers the feeling of winning second place in the World Championships in 1990.
Experience of Stoke Mandeville
Ali talks about what Stoke Mandeville means to him as the place where his career started, and as the home of the Paralympic Games.
Becoming a para swimmer
Monica tells the story of the accident that led to her amputation in 1956, her love of sport as a child, and why she chose swimming.
Media coverage in 1976
Monica describes the frustration of disappointing media coverage when she returned from her first Games with a gold medal in 1976.
Going for gold
John describes using a homemade medal made out of gold foil to inspire him during training.
Guttmann’s rehabilitation approach
Susan describes Sir Ludwig Guttmann’s approach of rehabilitation through sport.
Horse racing accident
Susan describes the horse-racing accident that caused her spinal injury, and the medical treatment that saved her life.
Rome 1960 Paralympic Games
Susan remembers attending the Paralympic Games in Rome, where the athletes’ accommodation was far from accessible!
Rehabilitation at the Spinal Unit
Mike remembers the intensive rehabilitation regime at the Spinal Unit, and the benefit of being surrounded by others with similar injuries.