Paralympic potential day held at sport institute

Chief executive officer of ParalympicsGB David Clarke says the event will help people "learn more about themselves and get active"

An event for young people to discover their "Paralympic potential" is being held by ParalympicsGB at the English Institute of Sport (EIS) in Sheffield.

Children and teenagers with disabilities have been invited to try accessible sports and meet medallists from the Paris Paralympic Games later.

The event will also help them learn more about becoming a Paralympic athlete and give advice to parents, carers and teachers on encouraging young people with disabilities to take up sport.

Participants were invited to take part in the event based on their sport, age, performance and classification criteria.

Former Paralympic footballer David Clarke is chief executive officer of ParalympicsGB and said the event would help people "learn more about themselves and get active".

'Incredible talent'

He said about 75% of disabled children did not get a regular opportunity to do sport in school.

"It's important to go and find these opportunities, to have the opportunity to test yourself and get a profile about what sports suit you, what you enjoy," he said.

He said they were excited to have so many sports represented at the EIS and the amount of knowledge the organisation had to offer young people.

"We have unearthed some incredible talent that's moving towards the Paralympic potential talent pathway and on to the Paralympics," he said.

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