Most of us have enjoyed sport at some time in our lives, either participating ourselves or watching others. At the same time, and despite the strength of our childhood dreams of being professional footballers (or cricketers, athletes, tennis players etc), most of us also recognise that being at the top of the game is not possible for everyone. By definition, to compete with the very best, you have to be among the very best, and that takes a rare level of talent and effort.
Every sport has its own “Premier League” or similar competition – the one that everyone wants to win. In football it’s the World Cup, and in tennis, Wimbledon. However, perhaps the largest sporting spectacle in the world, and dating back (at least originally) to ancient Greece, is the competition known as the Olympic Games. There, huge numbers of competitors from nations all over the world compete for the honour of their countries in a vast range of disciplines. Millions of people tune in to watch the elite athletes as they show the extraordinary capabilities of the human body – running, jumping, throwing, swimming, riding, shooting, fighting – the list goes on. We marvel at the speed and strength of the people on our screens. Most of us can only begin to imagine what it took for those athletes to train their bodies so effectively.
In recent years, and particularly since the Olympic Games were held in London in 2012, viewing audiences have also been treated to the Paralympic Games, showcasing the talent, determination and extraordinary abilities of our brothers and sisters whose bodies are afflicted with some form of disability. The competition is every bit as fierce, the rivalry between athletes every bit as deep. For each one, breaking a world record or winning the gold medal means their name will go down in history, marking that, in their discipline at that moment in time, they were the very best in the world.
Open House is delighted to welcome two-time Paralympian, world-record holder and gold medal winner, Grace Harvey, to share her story and to take questions. To say Grace is an inspirational person is to make a huge understatement. She faces the challenges of life with an infectious positivity and is an articulate advocate for the “can-do” attitude.
We hope you will come to hear her speak about her experience of living with a disability and training and competing among the best in the world. Come with your questions and your curiosity. We guarantee you will leave inspired and encouraged.
6th June 2026 at 7:30pm in Hunsdon Village Hall
Refreshments will be served
Reserve your place here.
