Livvy Breen: "I don't think of it as just one race. It's showtime!"

29/08/2024 11:10

Paralympic medallist talks about her changing expectations, juggling multiple events and the power of sport

Livvy Breen cannot wait to compete at the Paris Paralympics and believes that, like London 2012, it has the potential to make a hugely positive impact for para sport.

The 28-year-old was just a teenager at her home Paralympics 12 years ago and won bronze in the T35-T38 4x100m relay.

After disappointment at Rio 2016 – she finished 12th in the T38 long jump and seventh in the T38 100m – Breen bounced back at the London 2017 World Para Championships to win long jump gold.

At Tokyo 2020, she claimed her first Paralympic individual medal with long jump bronze, before then striking gold over 100m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

Breen, who has had cerebral palsy since the age of two and has hearing and learning difficulties, is now one of the most experienced ParalympicsGB athletes ahead of Paris 2024 and is targeting a first ever Paralympic gold medal. She is coached by Aston Moore and trains alongside the likes of heptathlon star Katarina Jonhson-Thompson.

AW caught up with her at Adidas House in Paris. She had been attending the Olympics and just been part of a panel talk with Greg Nugent – Producer of Rising Phoenix – to promote the next season of the documentary series, showcasing para athletes in the build-up to and at Tokyo 2020.

How excited are you for the Paralympics and does it feel like a home Games?

I can't believe how quickly it's come round. To be in the stadium for the Olympics and to hear that atmosphere makes it all so real now. I'm going to be competing in that and it feels like a home Games.

It's so close to the UK. I think it's going to be really big for para sport and gets the next generation out there. It's about letting people know that if you have a disability then there is a sport out there for you. It may not be athletics but there is something for you.

» This is an edited version of a longer feature which is available in the latest issue of AW magazine. To buy a copy click here

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