Good luck message to city athletes at Tokyo Summer Paralympic Games

Leeds City Council is wishing all athletes that are from or based in the city, the very best of luck in the Tokyo 2020 Summer Paralympic Games.

After a year’s delay, the games will take place from Tuesday, 24 August to Sunday, 5 September 2021.

Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for public health and active lifestyles said:

“This year’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo is set to be another unforgettable event, and we cannot wait to cheer on Team GB and especially every athlete that is from or based in the city of Leeds.

“We are extremely fortunate and proud to have some truly wonderful Paralympians representing the city in Tokyo, who over many years, have worked incredibly hard and shown such amazing determination and talent. We wish them the very best of luck competing on one of the world’s greatest and most iconic sporting stages.”

Representing Team GB with connections to Leeds includes:

Multi-talented parasport sprinter and para-cyclist Kadeena Cox MBE will be aiming to replicate her stunning success at the 2016 Rio Paralympic Games. On the athletics track, Kadeena earned gold in the T38 400m where she also set a new world record, a silver in the T35-38 4x100m relay and a bronze in the T38 100m. In the cycling, she also claimed gold in the C4-5 time trial and in doing so, became the first British Paralympian for 32 years to win medals in two different sports.

Also aiming for more Olympic glory is legendary five-time gold medallist wheelchair racer, Hannah Cockroft MBE. In an illustrious career, Hannah who represents Leeds City Athletics Club, claimed two gold medals at the London 2012 Olympics in the T34 100m and 200m events and three more at the Rio 2016 Olympics in the 100m, 400m and 800m.

Claire Cashmore MBE made her debut swimming for Paralympics GB as a 16-year-old competing at Athens 2004. Since then she has won medals at every level in para swimming, including six Paralympic medals across three Olympic Games. After Rio 2016, Claire made a successful transition to triathlon and is now aiming to earn a medal in one of the world’s most challenging sports.

Cyclist David Stone MBE is now targeting a successful fifth Olympic Games in what has been already a stellar career. After a successful Rio 2016 with road race silver and time trial bronze, David now has his eye on more medal success.