Sophie Scamps (Mackellar, Independent) Share this | Hansard source

Overnight, the 2024 Paris Paralympics closed, and what an 11 days of celebrating our Paralympians and people across the world it was. We had 150 para-athletes competing, and they did us proud. The one thing that I found really invigorating when I watched the Paralympics was the fact that there were massive, raucous crowds there. When the swimming was on, there wasn't a seat to be had in the place, and the athletes competed in front of crowds that were 70,000 people and more. It was wonderful to see. It was a time of 11 days of stories, where people's lifetimes of hard work, endeavour and dreams came to fruition. We know it's so much more than winning medals; it's that sense of endeavour, aspiration and self-worth that comes with doing what you can in your life, committing and dedicating yourself, having a dream and trying to make it come true.

I thought I'd read out some quotes today from athletes from across the world who competed in the Paralympics. One is from one of our own Paralympians, Tim Hodge, who said:

The Olympics are the epitome of human excellence and the Paralympics are the epitome of human resilience.

I'm going to read out a few more quotes because these athletes inspire us all. Yang Yue from China, who claimed the gold medal in the women's F64 discus, shared an important message to her daughter:

I want to tell my daughter this: it pays to persevere. If you persevere for long enough, your dreams may just come true.

Then there was Ezra Frech from the USA, who won two gold medals in the para-athletics. He said:

I believe I was put here on this earth to normalise disability, change perceptions about what is possible as an amputee, winning back-to-back golds, leading the Paralympic movement until 2028. That's why it was written. The universe gave me the script and all I had to do was this, this and this was going to happen tonight.

Hannah Cockroft, following her win in the women's 100 metres T34, had a heartwarming moment that reminded her of the impact of her legacy. She said:

In the call room this morning someone told me, 'I watched you in 2012 and that's why I am here today.' I really hope there are some girls at home who are doing the same because that's what it's all about. Hopefully, today, some new dreams have been born.

Then there was Zakia. She became the first ever medallist for the refugee Paralympic team. She used her platform to send a powerful message:

Afghanistan is my country, and today the Taliban are in power in my country. It's important to me to show strength to the Afghan women and girls around the world. I've worked hard for that, to show them the medal. I hope the world does not forget the women and girls of Afghanistan.

One last one I'll mention is Ali Truwit from the USA, who lost her leg in a life-threatening shark attack in 2023. She said:

When I was faced with a life-changing trauma, I worked to see the positive and focus on gratitude and let that carry me. When you are truly faced with death and you understand what a second chance at life means, you want to make the most of it. So, I have worked to do that and it's not without an incredible, incredible support system.

So we can see that the Paralympics are far more than just a competition. They represent what it is to be human, what it is to have human resilience and what it is to show dedication and commitment and overcome adversity. I congratulate and thank every single athlete who was at those Paralympic Games and all those who aspire to be there and aspire to be at Olympics in the future. Congratulations and thank you.

See this speech in context