Karé Adenegan - inspiring and integrating key for Birmingham 2022
- Jordan Guard
- Jul 13, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: May 25, 2023
A decade ago Karé Adenegan knew nothing of wheelchair racing or that a potential path to the Paralympics even existed for a someone who had been “excluded” from sport for much of their childhood.
She was born with cerebral palsy and while the athlete can walk around her home, she uses a wheelchair for any longer distances.
Adenegan describes opportunities to compete as a youngster as being ‘limited’ at best, with accessibility often one of the greatest barriers to junior sport.
London 2012 transformed her aspirations and the course of her life.
The now 21-year-old, who has gone on to claim five medals across the last two Paralympics, heads into her maiden Commonwealth Games later this month hoping she can help inspire the next generation and “open eyes” the way hers were 10 years ago.
“I watched London 2012 and it blew my mind to see other people with disabilities do elite sport,” the Team England racers tells the Women’s Sports Alliance (WSA).
“There’s more inclusivity now, but more needs to be done and just like London 2012 kick started this growth and really propelled Para sport forwards I really think Birmingham 2022 can do a similar thing.”
Adenegan was 11 when she first took up wheelchair racing, seeking out a local athletics club in Coventry soon after watching the London 2012 Games.
She thrived in her new sport and three years later announced herself onto the global scene by becoming the first athlete to beat Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft in seven years at the Grand Prix final in London.
The then 14-year-old would go on to claim two bronze medals at the World Championships the following month and later attained a silver and two bronze medals at the Rio 2016 Paralympics.
Adenegan also beat Cockroft twice over 100m in 2018, including at the Europeans.
Although her ‘frenemy’ has won the majority of the head-to-head battles – including at Tokyo 2020 where Adenegan took two silver medals behind her – their all-England 100m match-up is one of the most highly anticipated races of Birmingham 2022.
“It’s going to be so special and I hope that the T34 race will get people excited as well,” she says with a smile. “To have the crowd behind us will be a great experience.”
As a Coventry-born and raised athlete Adenegan knows the importance of bringing the Commonwealths to the Midlands, with the refurbishment of the Alexander Stadium just one of the developments which should create a lasting Games legacy.
Adenegan made her Paralympic debut at Rio 2016. Photo courtesy of @ParalympicsGB
She is also delighted to have the opportunity to compete in the event, with her T34 discipline included for the first time.
“It felt so special,” said the wheelchair racer upon learning she would have the chance to complete her collection of honours at the Commonwealths this summer.
“I know it’s a real privilege because we don’t have events in every classification and it’s the one major I haven’t been able to compete in before, so it’s a real privilege.
“Especially being from the West Midlands, I don’t think it could have been closer to home and it feels really special to be able to go out there on the track.”
Adenegan hopes the Commonwealth record-breaking para sport representation at Birmingham 2022 is a strong move towards greater integration between Olympic and Paralympic sports.
“I think things have gotten better and more inclusive, but definitely more needs to be done,” she tells the WSA.
When we look at events and look at opportunities like the commonwealth games, the more to be out there but I think there’s still defo more that needs to be done.
“The one thing that does annoy me is that people only really see Para sport if it’s a Paralympic Games, a Commonwealth Games, or the occasional event.
“I think it's important that we showcase more and having greater Para sports integration, like at Diamond League events, will bring those extra opportunities.
“The Commonwealths are a great step and I’m sure Birmingham 2022 will allow more people to see and follow Para sport for the first time.”
Adenegan won silver medals at both the Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.