32: The Commonwealth Games legacy: Supporting the growth of parasport

The 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham featured the largest integrated para sport programme in the competition’s history with 42 parasport events across eight sports, with over 350 athletes taking part.

While the growth of parasport at elite level is fantastic, many disabled women and girls face a double discrimination when it comes to sport and exercise. 

Now the excitement of the 2022 Games is over the focus has to be on what legacy it can achieve.  

On this episode Sarah is joined by former Paralympic swimmer and BBC broadcaster Kate Grey and Emma Wiggs MBE who is a double Paralympic gold medal winner and ten-time World Champion para canoeist!

We talk about: 

• How the Commonwealth Games has given parasport a stage and how that's inspired more girls into sport. 
• Why para sport must be able to grow as an event in its own right. 
• How media has changed the narrative around performance and disability. 
• How schools and coaches can foster a more inclusive environment for girls with a disability. 
• How we can all play a part in breaking down barriers to activity for disabled women and girls. 

About Women in Sport

Women in Sport was founded in 1984 and its vision is that no-one is excluded from the joy, fulfilment and lifelong benefits of sport and exercise. Recognising that gender stereotypes and institutional bias are holding women back in life and in sport, the charity’s purpose is to give every woman and girl the opportunity to take part and inspire her to do so. 

Find out more about us here

This episode is sponsored by CSM Live