Timsbury para-badminton star Bobby Griffin is overjoyed at the news his sport will make its Paralympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Games, writes Henry Burridge.
The International Paralympic Committee announced on Tuesday morning the first batch of sports that will form the 2020 games, with badminton included for the first time.
Griffin chose to have his left leg amputated below the knee after his motorbike was struck by a car on London Road in Bath in 2008, and has since become one of the best para-badminton players in Europe, currently ranked within the top three in doubles competition.
He says inclusion in the Paralympics is no less than the sport deserves, both internationally and within Britain.
"We've been trying to get into the Paralympic Games for six years, and it feels so good to finally get in for 2020," said Griffin.
"It's great news for the sport and gives something back to all of the players and coaches that have done their part, so it's great to be part of the Paralympic movement finally. I couldn't be happier."
The addition of badminton to the Games is expected to result in additional funding being made available for the sport, which may ease the burden on players and coaches who have otherwise had to be self-sufficient.
"It will make a huge difference, potentially life-changing for some," said Griffin.
"You look at the example of table tennis being added a few years ago – they received an extra £4 million worth of funding.
"We've mainly had to be self-funded but the extra funding will help us in terms of kits, equipment and training, and might even give us a little bit of a wage.
"The four governing bodies – in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland – have provided us with some help in the last two years, so we've been able to get almost full-time coaches and take training camps.
"Our head coach, Richard Morris, is an amazing guy and coach. He and his wife raised £2,000 for one of our training camps and we're hopeful that he will get the Paralympic coaching job."
On a personal note, Griffin, who has achieved recent success in international competition, is looking forward to the chance of competing at the Paralympics in six years' time.
"Last month I was at the European Championships in Spain and won gold in the mixed doubles and bronze in the men's doubles," he said.
"I will be 39 by the time the Paralympics come around but it's common for para- athletes to go on longer.
"It's a big step forward for the sport and it's also a good end for me."
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