A year after British Gymnastics set a long-term goal for disability gymnastics to become a Paralympic sport from Brisbane 2032, work has already begun. As part of British Gymnastics’ “Jump Without Limits” expressed a “commitment to be relentless in the pursuit of inclusion and accessibility”, a plan has been drawn up to make Para-gymnastics a reality, like Para-climbing for Los Angeles 2028.
The group working on the project has been led by Patrick Bonner, CEO of the British Gymnastics Foundation who has been joined by Angela Turner, chair of the British Gymnastics Disability Panel. ‘The next three years are vitally important to this process as we develop an FIG Code of Points for men’s and women’s artistic Paralympic gymnastics and a classification structure for the disciplines,’ said Bonner.
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Bonner also shared that in October 2024, the FIG Para-Gymnastics working group will hold its first Congress where attendees will vote to formally recognise Para-Gymnastics as a new discipline within the FIG family of disciplines. The hope is that with a vote from all FIG member nations, a resolution will be passed that will officially put Para-Gymnastics on the map and push forward plans for 2032.
On the eve of the #Paris2024 Paralympic Games, we reiterate our ambition for gymnastics to become a Paralympic sport by Brisbane 2032 🏅🌏
For gymnasts like Millie, this would be a dream come true.
“In October 2024 the FIG will have its Congress, at which a vote will be taken… pic.twitter.com/21Nn7BG5Ss
— British Gymnastics (@BritGymnastics) August 27, 2024
Currently, the highest level of competition in disability gymnastics is at national level. On 28 September, British Gymnastics will host the 2024 British Para-Gymnastics Championships in Cardiff. As this is the highest level of disabled gymnastics competition for athletes, the FIG Para-Gymnastics working group hopes to take the competitions beyond their current national boundaries.
NO NEW SPORT AT PARIS 2024 AND ONE AT LA28
The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games have not unveiled any new sports or disciplines. Para badminton and para taekwondo are the newest disciplines, making their debut at Tokyo 2020 at the 2021 Paralympic Games.
Climbing will appear on the Paralympic agenda for 2028, which the board of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) approved at its June meeting as proposed by the LA28 organising committee. Therefore for the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games there will be 23 Paralympic disciplines. Los Angeles 2028 will therefore be the Paralympic Games with the most sports disciplines in history (23), ahead of Rio 2016, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 (22), and Beijing 2008 and London 2012 (20).
