Commonwealth Sport President affirms Para-sport commitment

On the eve of the Paralympics, President Chris Jenkins has affirmed that Commonwealth Sport will continue to lead the way in fully integrating Para-sport in future Commonwealth Games, with this commitment complemented by a continued focus on a sustainable development pathway for Para-athletes through the Movement’s inclusivity programme GAP

President Jenkins said, “Para-sports is at the core of our ambition in creating a modern, flexible Commonwealth Games blueprint for the future that inspires athletes and delivers tangible legacy benefits and is in the interests of the entire Commonwealth Sport Movement.

”Our Para-athletes are fully integrated into teams competing at the Commonwealth Games, with more Commonwealth countries than ever fielding Para-athletes at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.”

The largest integrated Para-sport programme in Commonwealth Games history saw 31 nations with Para-athletes competing at Birmingham 2022 compared to 21 nations at Gold Coast 2018 – an increase of 48% — with the Birmingham Inclusive Games Standard (BIG) creating an accessibility blueprint for future major sporting events to support visitors, athletes and stakeholders with additional support needs.

”We are sure the Birmingham 2022 experience will be invaluable for those competing at the Paralympics, and on behalf of the entire Commonwealth Sport family, I am sending our very best wishes to all Commonwealth Para-athletes competing in Paris,” said President Jenkins.

A direct legacy of the impacts and partnerships created at Birmingham 2022 was a global GAPS camp earlier this year for Para-athletes and coaches from 21 nations across the Commonwealth, with footage from this and other camps featuring in a video Commonwealth Sport today released today.

The Commonwealth Sport GAPS Programme (Gather, Adjust, Prepare, Sustain) is Commonwealth Sport’s Para-athlete development and inclusion pathway programme, designed to provide Para-athletes and coaches with access to skills, knowledge, and resources that aid their personal development and training as they prepare for competition, while driving hope and motivation and building pride and a strong sense of identity amongst the Para-athletes and coaches.

Over 600 Para-athletes and coaches have participated in the GAPS programme, with GAPS alumni setting world records, securing gold, silver and bronze medals alongside numerous personal bests at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, with many having continued to perform at the highest levels at World Para-Championships in the lead up to Paris.

President Jenkins stated, “Despite these achievements, athletes and coaches from Commonwealth nations continue to confront major challenges, including issues related to access to classification, limited access to facilities and equipment, transportation difficulties, coaching, discrimination, and restricted opportunities for competition. These obstacles significantly hinder the development of the Para-sport pathway to the Commonwealth Games and beyond.

“Our development programs are designed to engage communities, transform lives, and unite the Commonwealth through sport. The GAPS Programme is a true reflection of our commitment to driving social change through the power of sport. We hope that the Para-athletes and coaches who participated in the Global GAPS camp earlier this year will feel empowered to achieve their full sporting potential, inspiring us all.”