PARALYMPICS IS A PHENOMENAL EXPERIENCE, SAYS AMBASSADOR KYLIE
Three-time Paralympian Kylie Grimes MBE has a clear and simple piece of advice to members of Team GB in Paris this month: “Take in the whole experience”.
Matt Hampson Foundation ambassador Kylie returns to the Paralympic Games arena this year in a commentary role but knows just what it takes to be part of the team after experience with the wheelchair rugby squad at London 2012, in track and field in Rio four years later and in making history as the first female winner of wheelchair rugby gold at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021.
“Nothing beats representing your country at the Games,” she said.
“I know it sounds like a cliché but I would always say to anyone in a position to compete at the Games to take it all in every single day. Take in the cap presentations, the shirt presentation, take it all in.
“You don’t know if it’s going to be your only experience of a Games, or if it’s your last chance to do that, so absorb it all.
“You should also appreciate how hard you’ve worked to get to that point. So many people are trying to get where you are – as a Paralympian you are in a very small percentage of people in the world. Yes, we are all there to win, but just remember how far you’ve come to get there.”
Speaking during her victory in the inaugural Hambo Throwdown organised by the Foundation to provide functional fitness competition exclusively for wheelchair users, Kylie added: “London 2012 was the best experience of my life and absolute highlight of my Para career.
“It was sad that we couldn’t have friends and family there in Tokyo, but it was outstanding to have a gold medal, I’m very proud of that. I knew it could be my last Games so I had to go for it and to be the first woman in history to get that gold in wheelchair rugby was amazing. To round off my career with that was phenomenal.”
Looking ahead to the defence of that title with a team which includes a number of players with close connections to the Matt Hampson Foundation, Kylie adds: “I think this is probably going to be the closest tournament in my memory over the last 15 years. I’m excited to see it.
“The whole rugby community, they are friends for life, I have friends in all those teams so I want them all to do well and look forward to seeing them.”
Gavin Walker, Nick Cummins, Jamie Stead and Kieran Flynn, who are all friends of the Matt Hampson Foundation and team-mates at Leicester Tigers, are included in the GB wheelchair rugby team in Paris.
The opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games is on Wednesday 28th August, with competition through to Sunday 8th September. The wheelchair rugby programme begins on Thursday 29th August, with the final stages on the following Sunday and Monday (1st-2nd September).
There is extensive live coverage on Channel 4 with a team of presenters and reporters including former rugby player Ed Jackson and actor George Robinson, both beneficiaries of the Matt Hampson Foundation.
