After winning an incredible ninth Paralympic crown, the Brit is keen to see what kind of atmosphere the other major championships create in Paris.
Hannah Cockcroft believes the athletes at the Paris Paralympics received the same level of support as they did at London 2012.
The Briton, who became a nine-time Paralympic champion in the French capital, said it “felt like we turned back the clock” and “that’s what we came for”.
Most of the sessions at the Paralympic Games were packed, with Parisians cheering not just their home favorites but every athlete competing at the Stade de France.
“It’s amazing,” Cockroft said. “I tried to soak up as much atmosphere as I could there. It seems to me that 12 years ago I took it for granted and now I understand that the support for Paralympians is not always the same, so I want to seize the moment and enjoy it.”
Cockroft won two golds in the T34 100m and 800m events in Paris with times of 16.80 and 1:55.44 respectively.
Kare Adenegan and Hannah Cockcroft (Getty)
After winning over two rounds, Cockroft added: “This one was a little more relaxed. I knew what to expect and I’m probably a bit more comfortable in the 800m. It’s been a long six days between races.
“It’s hard to train for six days and keep track of everyone. It was a long break, but it made it all worth it. The time was not fast, but it was convenient.”
Cockroft won her first Paralympic gold medals at London 2012 and then won two each in Rio and Tokyo.
Now the 32-year-old has won a staggering 25 global championship medals – nine at the Paralympic Games and 16 at the World Championships – and every one of them gold.
Next on the list will be the 2025 World Cup in Cali, Colombia.
Hannah Cockroft (Getty)
Cockroft said Channel 4 At the Stade de France, that “it’s not a four-year break for us” and “find your favorite athletes online to support them.”
It is hoped that the influence of Paris 2024 can help to develop para sports between now and LA 2028.
In the UK it goes beyond mere competition.
In the wake of the Games, Paralympic Great Britain wrote to Prime Minister Keir Starmer to create truly inclusive PE in schools.
The letter, entitled “A level playing field”, says that “only one in four disabled children say they regularly play sport at school” and that there are “1.5 million disabled children – 15% of the school population – in education”.
Cockroft is one of hundreds of GB Paralympians who have publicly backed the letter.
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