Para-cycling looks to be in real danger of being left out of the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo as a result of the UCI’s failure to submit the necessary paperwork on schedule; whilst the deadline for the International Paralympic Committee management team was July 28, the UCI only filed last week. The failure leaves para-cycling chasing one of the seven remaining slots for sports available after the IPC confirmed the 16 already guaranteed representation.
The blunder comes at a time when there is also potential for the number of sports represented being reduced, IPC president Sir Philip Craven explains: ‘Our aim is to ensure that the final Tokyo 2020 Paralympic sports programme is fresh and features the best Para-sports possible. Although we can have a maximum of 23 sports in six years’ time, we have an option to reduce the number of sports in order to ensure we have a compelling and attractive Para-sports programme.’
Jody Cundy, who represented GB at the 2008 Summer Paralympics and broke the world record on the way to winning the gold in the 1km Time Trial, tweeted: ‘(It) sums up how high we appear on the UCI radar. Not surprised at all.’
Since para-cycling made its debut at the Seoul Paralympics in 1988, GB has proven to be one of the most successful nations, topping the medal tables at both Beijing and London.
More on Jody Cundy at jodycundy.com
