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Campaign for sports funding
Our campaign for equal opportunities for athletes with a learning disability.
Since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, events for athletes with a learning disability have been suspended from Paralympic competition.
As a result, all funding for athletes with a learning disability has been withdrawn.
This means they are faced with a choice - either spend thousands of pounds to carry on training and competing or drop out of competitive sport altogether.
Mencap believes that:
- the banmust be lifted on athletes with a learning disability competing in the Paralympic games
- the Department for Culture, Media and Sport must work with national governing bodies to fund training and support for these athletes immediately
In my last ever competitive race I smashed the World Record for 400m freestyle. But I had to quit - I just couldn't afford to keep paying my own way. Having to drop out of swimming when I was at my peak was so frustrating.
Support athletes with a learning disability!
Find out more about Mencap Sport
