Today I am joined with Richie Powell. An ex-Paralympic athlete who has had huge success in his sporting career and is now utilising his influential platform creating content regarding the reality of Paralympic sport. 

In 1989, as a teenager, Richie was involved in a near fatal motorcycle accident which left him paralysed. Within seconds, his life immediately changed. However, he failed to allow this disability to consume him. Following his intensive treatment, Richie was introduced to wheelchair racing.

Sport provided a purpose. An identity. An opportunity to optimise, accomplish, achieve, and belittle doubts. Within 3 years following the traumatic accident, Richie was competing in the 1992 Paralympic Games in Barcelona, at 21 years of age…. only highlighting his exceptionally dedicated mindset. 

Alongside BBC Panorama, Richie recently launched the documentary 'Paralympics: Unfair Games?'. The film investigated the classification system, which has been accused of being easily manipulated and lacking credibility. 

The aim of the classification system is to create a level playing field by grouping competitors into classes based on their physical abilities, to then decide which athletes are eligible to compete within their sport. However, the evaluations conducted have been criticised as being flawed. Some athletes can exaggerate their disability to be placed in a more disabled class to subsequently provide an unfair advantage. Which raises the question… how can Paralympics be fair when we are witnessing deliberate attempts of inaccurate classifications? 

Further on in the episode, Richie also discusses the stereotypes and inconsiderate comments he has continually faces as a disabled athlete. We also touch on sports psychology and how it is essential to cultivate characteristics to promote resilience and to become self-regulated within the use of psychological skills… coping with phenomenally high expectations and competition anxiety.

Overall, this episode demonstrates remarkable acts of perseverance, determination, endurance, and persistence... and how with flexibility, adaptability and one hell of a strong mindset you can drive you onwards, no matter the challenges, obstacles, and external doubts.