"These games show how much determination disabled athletes have"
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic games have kicked off in Japan
Last updated 25th Aug 2021
The 2020 Paralympic games could inspire the next generation of para-athletes, according to Margaret Nicholls, a coach at Orwell Panthers Athletics Club in Suffolk.
"The most important aspect of the games is that it shows what people can do, irrespective of their disabilities", she says.
Orwell Panthers was where athletes like ParalympicsGB's Zoe Newson and Hetty Bartlett started their careers before going on to achieve bigger accomplishments.
Nicholls says she is expecting a low turn-out for her practice session this evening because most of her trainees will be glued to the TVs watching the competition unfold.
She adds: "It really does inspire quite a lot of our young athletes, because they know that there is a possibility to get somewhere. I think that is so important."
For disabled persons who find themselves interested in sport, after watching the games or otherwise, Nicholls recommends that they look for local disabled sports clubs: "Find out what's going on in your area, go along and have the courage to ask if you can have a go at whatever sports or activities you want to engage in."
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympics kick into full flow today with British athletes competing in a number of events.
Nicholls took the opportunity to wish the entire British contingent the best as the competitions. "I would like to wish the best of luck to all our Paralympians, especially Hetty (Bartlett) and Zoe (Newson). Do your best and show the world what you're capable of."