Sammi and Libby gain funding for medal potential

Wheelchair racer Samantha Kinghorn, from Gordon, and visually-impaired sprinter Libby Clegg, of Newcastleton, are among those selected.

The British Athletics WCP is UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded initiative to support the delivery of success at the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Membership on to the WCP for 2020 is based upon an athletes’ potential to win a medal at Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024.

There are two levels of membership on the Paralympic World Class Programme; ‘podium’ and ‘podium potential’.

Currently performing very well in the latest ITV series of ‘Dancing On Ice’, Libby (29) secured gold medals at the 2016 Rio Paralympics in 100m and 200m with her guide runner Chris Clarke, and later receiveda an MBE for her contributions to athletics and charity.

She was named on the Paralympic podium part of the programme along with Samantha (24), whose many accomplishments include a T53 double world championship win in 2017 and multiple European wheelchair race records.

British Athletics listed 46 athletes in total for the support packages, with 20 of those being world medallists from the 2019 edition of the World Para Athletics Championships.

scottishathletics congratulated those who have been selected, saying: “It is great news for all involved and we send out congratulations to the athletes, their families and coaches as well as the clubs who have helped them develop over many years.”

Paula Dunn, Para Athletics head coach at British Athletics added this was a crucial period for para sport.

She said: “As we are well into Paralympic year, it is great to announce the 2020 World Class Programme cohort following the late world championships last year.”