From Scotland with stength: The Paralympics edition

From Scotland with strength: The Paralympics edition.

The Paralympics, a global celebration of athletic prowess and resilience. What started as a small gathering of World War II veterans in 1948 has evolved into a dynamic showcase of talent, where athletes with disabilities demonstrate extraordinary skill, determination, and spirit. In this blog we’ve picked some of the incredible scots that’ll be representing team GB and hopefully bringing home gold! 

Sammi Kinghorn

Sport: T53 100m, 400m, 800m and 4x100m relay

Samantha Kinghorn, known as Sammi, has made an indelible mark on the world of para athletics. From Melrose on the boards, Sammi was paralyzed as a teen in an accident on her family farm. She began T53 racing, T53 is a classification for those who can use their arms but not their lower body. She had a successful Tokyo 2020, where she won bronze in the T53 100m and silver in the 400m. In 2023, Sammi claimed her third world title with a Championship Record in the T53 100m, along with two silvers in the 400m and 800m. Off the track, she shares her love of the countryside as a presenter on BBC’s Countryfile and resides in Cheshire with her boyfriend. 

Jenny Holl & Sophie Unwin

Sport: Cycling

Originally from Scotland, Jenny Holl moved to Manchester in 2017 to join the elite British Cycling programme. In 2018, she became Scotland’s youngest national champion at the British Track Cycling Championships. After winning a silver medal in the team pursuit at the 2019 European Games, Holl transitioned to Para cycling in 2021, partnering with Sophie Unwin as her pilot. Together, they won the road world title that year and earned a silver medal in the Women’s Road Race Tandem B at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Patrick Wilson

Sport: Boccia

Patrick discovered boccia, a precision sport similar to bowls but designed for athletes with physical disabilities, at a regional multi-sport event. Though it took time to develop his skills, he eventually joined a club in Edinburgh, where he honed his tactical understanding of the game. After winning gold at the Scottish Championships, Patrick's competitive spirit led him to international success, including a silver medal in the BC3 pairs at the 2014 World Championships. He made his Paralympic debut at Rio 2016 and later won silver at the 2017 BISFed European Championships. In 2023, Patrick returned to form by securing silver at the Fortaleza World Cup! 

Nathan MacQueen

Sport: Archery

Nathan Macqueen, a versatile sportsman from Polbeth, played rugby for Glasgow Warriors at the Under 18 level before a serious motorbike accident at 17 altered his path. Originally part of Scotland’s archery team, his recovery led him to explore powerlifting and wheelchair basketball before refocusing on archery. Nathan made his international debut shortly before competing in Rio 2016, where he finished ninth. By 2023, he became a World silver medallist and a double European champion. In 2024, Nathan continued his success, winning gold and bronze in team events at the European Para Cup and Championships. Outside of archery, he enjoys cars, carpentry, and cooking.

Alison Peasgood

Sport: Triathlon

Alison, a Para-triathlete from Dunfermline, is competing in her third consecutive Games, now as a mother after giving birth to her son Logan last year. Logan’s birth coincided with the Test event for Paris, and motherhood has further motivated Alison to pursue more medals!
Initially, she was a world champion swimmer at the IBSA World Games and also represented Scotland in athletics before transitioning to Para-triathlon in 2013. Alison claimed silver at her debut Paralympics in Rio 2016 and, after a brief maternity break, returned to competition in 2023, quickly regaining form with a series of podium finishes.

It's inspiring to see these remarkable Scots representing Team GB with such grit and grace. From Sammi Kinghorn’s dazzling track performances, Jenny Holl and Sophie Unwin’s cycling triumphs, Patrick Wilson’s strategic boccia play, Nathan Macqueen’s archery achievements and Alison Peasgood’s resilient return to triathlon, these athletes embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence. Their stories are a testament to the power of determination and the relentless pursuit of greatness. As they compete on the world stage, we will be cheering them on, hopeful that their incredible efforts will bring home gold and continue to inspire us all!