Libby Clegg is set to compete in her third Paralympic Games after what she describes as a ‘whirlwind’ since she won 100m silver at London 2012.
The former Loughborough College student missed a number of major competitions in this cycle through illness and injury and was reclassified as a T11 sprinter earlier this year but went on to set a new 200m world record at the recent IPC Athletics Grand Prix Final.
“I’m delighted to be selected for my third Paralympic Games. It’s been a whirlwind of a journey since London after a number of injuries but it’s great to come through the other side and be part of a really strong Paralympics GB team… We can’t wait to get going.”
Libby made her Paralympic debut in Beijing in 2008, winning a silver medal in the T12 100m. Later that year, she was awarded third place in the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year.
A deteriorating eye condition led to Libby’s reclassification from T12 to T11 and the ruling has led to the sprinter being told she must wear a blindfold while competing in Rio. Libby will now race against Brazil’s three-time Paralympic champion Terezinha Guilhermina.
“I’ve never come out of blocks blindfolded. It’s absolutely terrifying for me,” said Libby, who has Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy and is registered blind.
Crowned Commonwealth Champion in 2014, this is Libby’s first Games with guide Chris Clarke after she ended her five-year association with Mikhail Huggins last year.