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Magnificent seven Paralympians return home with haul of medals

Posted: 15th September 2021 - 1:19pm

Loughborough College superstars returned home from the Tokyo Paralympics with a magnificent seven-medal haul.

Sprinters Thomas Young and Sophie Hahn raced to gold in the men’s and women’s 100m T38 while Libby Clegg clinched a silver as part of the 4x100m universal relay team.

Triathlete George Peasgood brought home two medals, winning silver in the paratriathlon and bronze in men’s road cycling.

Table tennis stars Aaron McKibbin and Ross Wilson clinched bronze as part of the Team GB squad while Olivia Breen won bronze in the women’s long jump.

Following his return home from Tokyo, Thomas Young dropped into College to say hello to his former tutors and show off his medal. He said: “It was an amazing experience and I was a bit emotional after the race. The first person I saw when I finished was Sophie (Hahn) and she was congratulating me so it was really emotional. I was so pleased when she won gold as well.”

Thomas is now busy fielding media enquiries following his Paralympic success and is still finding the attention a little mind-boggling.

“It’s surreal to see myself all over the media, but I’m enjoying it,” he said. “I’m going to take some time off now to rest and have some fun and then I start training for the worlds, the Commonwealth Games and the European Championships. It’s going to be a busy year!”

Jo Maher, Principal & CEO at Loughborough College, said: “We are so proud of each and every one of these incredible athletes and to all of our alumni who represented Team GB at the Paralympics.

“When we talk about creating great experiences for our students, it includes a winning mindset and a determination to succeed in spite of challenges. Our Paralympic alumni embody that ethos and we are absolutely delighted to see them shine on the world stage.”

The college alumnus were also competing as part of the wider Loughborough Sport umbrella, with athletes who are either based in or train in Loughborough ending the Games with a total of 21 medals – six gold, six silver, and nine bronze.