Hannah Cockroft says she wants people to ‘fall back in love’ with Para-sport
- By Elizabeth Hudson
- BBC Sport
image source, Getty Images
Cockroft hopes to compete in her fourth Paralympics in Paris next year
British wheelchair user Hannah Cockroft hopes the Paris Paralympics will allow people to fall in love with parasports again.
The seven-time Paralympic champion won two gold medals at the postponed Tokyo Games in 2021 but missed out on the impact of crowds in Japan.
She believes interest needs to be reignited after a challenging few years.
“London 2012 gave us a huge boost,” the 30-year-old told BBC Sport.
“But I think with the pandemic and quieter games in Rio in 2016 we’ve taken a small step back and not being yelled at enough.
“However, I have a feeling that the Paris games where we’re going to have those big crowds again could change all that.
“Paris is closer to home than the last two games. It’s a bit more of what we know and we know the UK loves parasport so we want people to come out and see what we do.
“We’ve got some phenomenal athletes, not just in the UK squad but around the world and we’re going to put up some incredible performances so I really hope everyone gets behind it and falls in love with para-sport again.”
Later this summer, Cockroft hopes to impress at the World Para-Athletics Championships in the French capital from July 8-17 when she defends her T34 100m and 800m titles.
And having broken four world records, including 1min 44.43s in the 800m – a time she said has been a dream for many years – at her season-opening races in Sharjah in February, she is full of confidence.
“Breaking world records wasn’t planned,” she said. “I started working with a new coach late last year so Sharjah was a test to see where we are and if the training and relationship is working and I think the proof is in the pudding.
“You always question yourself at the beginning of the season, but after that my confidence went through the roof.
“It’s a big year for me. I’m putting myself under a lot of pressure at the World Cup. We’re a year away from Paris, but Tokyo still feels like it was yesterday.
“I’m probably running out of opportunities to continue competing, but I want to get on that stage and prove that I’m still the best and that I’m still working hard. I still have work to do – I’ve already proven that this season – but the real place to prove it is at a World Championship and winning those gold medals.”