Emotional scenes unfolded in Tokyo’s Ariake Arena this evening as the GB Women missed out on a chance of accomplishing their dream and achieving a podium finish at the delayed 2020 Paralympic Games.
The Team, who are current World and European Silver medallists, had hoped to better their fourth-place finish in Rio and bring home a medal to add to their international credentials.
However, it was not to be as the team struggled to find their world-renowned form following a 20-month abstinence from international competition and challenging preparation conditions.
The team will look to regroup and reflect on the learnings from Tokyo, when they come back together and focus upon the 2021 European Championships later in the year in Madrid.
ParalympicsGB will now play Spain in the 7th/8th place play-off on Thursday 2nd September at 7:00am (BST).
Lisa Pearce, CEO of British Wheelchair Basketball commented on the team’s performance:
“To simply have made it to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is a huge achievement for this team. The challenges involved in bringing together a team of twelve elite Paralympic athletes during the COVID-19 pandemic was significant, with contact team training not recommencing until earlier this year and no competition taking place since March 2020.
“At this moment I could not be prouder of what this team has achieved here in Tokyo. They have come onto court each game prepared to fight, and they have never once wavered in this determination. Each and every one on this team is an inspiration to me, they have proudly represented their nation and have made many sacrifices and braved many obstacles to be here.”
