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In 1960 the first Olympic-style games for athletes with a disability took place in Rome and since then, the Paralympics have grown into one of the world’s biggest sport events, championing inclusivity and celebrating the extraordinary talents of athletes from all corners of the world uniting people through the power of sport.
With the Paris 2024 games quickly approaching, Caudwell Children interviewed Paralympian and former beneficiary, Hollie Arnold, where she explains her journey of becoming a gold medallist.
Tell us a little about yourself
I’m a F46 javelin thrower and I’m going to my 5th Paralympic games in Paris very soon which is pretty crazy. I’m really excited and hopefully a couple of family members and friends are going to come and watch, and all being well the nation is going to get behind the Paralympics and watch the games.
How important is sport to you?
Being involved with sport has helped me grow as a person, it’s made me who I am today. Sport has helped me to accept who I am and make the best out of every situation.
How did you get into javelin throwing?
When I was around 11, I went to a sporting event at Cleethorpes Athletics Club with my brother, which was called Star Track. I was always interested in sport, whether that was cricket, football, rugby, basketball or netball. So, me and my brother would go and try everything, and have a bit of fun. We tried loads of events and I remember my brother picking up this long stick, I had no idea what it was called and when he threw it, I instantly wanted to beat him. I wanted to be that annoying little sister who beats her brother. When I threw it, people came up to me and said “wow have you done this before” and obviously the answer was no. I was then invited to join the Cleethorpes Athletics Club, where I tried a range of sports before competing in javelin to qualify for the Beijing Paralympics at the age of 14. I’d never competed with disabled athletes before, and seeing people with one arm was like wow these people look like me.
Tell us about your Paralympic Journey
In 2008, I competed in the Beijing Paralympics, I was thrown in the deep end, but it was an incredible experience, however when I look back, I was very young and didn’t really know much about the Paralympics. After the games, I knew this was something I wanted to do, I wanted to be a champion and win gold medals, making the nation and my family proud.
At the age of 18, I competed in the 2012 London Paralympics and there was so much hype around that. I ended up coming 5th overall but for me that wasn’t good enough, I wanted more, I still dreamed of that gold medal. After the games, I wanted to quit because I felt like a failure and that I wasn’t good enough, I had put my family through a lot too. My dad then sat me down and said “do you want to go to the next Paralympics in Rio and win?” My answer was more than anything, so as a family we moved to Wales which had more stability of training facilities, coaches, nutritionists and psychologists, which I didn’t’ have before and I lived in Wales for seven years.
In 2013, I wanted to do everything I could, so I competed at the World Championships in Leon, where I achieved my first ever World Championships title. I went on to win the 2015 World Championships title and then 2016 was around the corner, creeping into the next Paralympics. During my training, I injured my shoulder and for around three to four months I was unable to throw, I had to do a lot of visualisation instead.
During the 2016 Rio Paralympics, I was slightly apprehensive as I hadn’t been able to throw for so long. I knew the first throw would be hit or miss but I was only 30 centimetres off the World Record and I knew I could win a medal. Three times within the six throws I broke the World Record and became Paralympic Champion and World Record holder. I was at the pinnacle of my sport and I wanted to go again and go for more medals.
I was working towards the 2020 Paralympics and then COVID hit, which was a huge struggle for everyone, but for me personally I wasn’t in a good place mentally. With the Paralympics being cancelled, I lost my identity and focus. The Tokyo Paralympics went ahead in 2021, I didn’t have the best training but I wanted to give it my best. I won a bronze medal which was devastating for me being the Paralympic Champion, but it just showed me that no one is invincible.
What challenges have you experienced in your life?
I was the only disabled person in my school, which felt really strange. I felt like I stuck out like a sore thumb, there was bullying involved but looking back as an adult, this made me stronger.
I often go into schools and do speeches and one student asked me if I could go back in time would I prefer to have two arms. I had to think about this question for a while but my answer was no, because my disability has shaped me into who I am, but I’m not my disability, it’s just a part of me. I’ve achieved incredible things and had the most incredible support from family, friends and Caudwell Children, I’m really lucky. I just can’t imagine myself with two arms, I’m just me, there are always challenges but I wouldn’t change anything. It doesn’t matter if people accept you or not, the main thing is accepting yourself. Without my disability I may not have had the same opportunities, I might not have competed for my country and won gold medals.
How did Caudwell Children support your journey of becoming an athlete?
Caudwell Children supported me with funding towards Sports Equipment as javelins are very expensive. Club javelins were fine, but when you are trying to go to the Paralympics, nothing compares to having your own, I felt very professional having my own javelin. Caudwell Children have always supported me through my journey and wished me well in major competitions, I’ve always felt part of the Purple Family and I think that’s the best thing about the charity. You always get genuine love and support, and it’s amazing what they did for me as a child.
What role do you think para-sports play in changing perceptions around disability?
I definitely think there has been a shift. Relating back to the Beijing Paralympics, there was hardly any coverage of the games and when there was it was in the early hours of the morning. I think this really changed for the London 2012 games. We showed everyone how amazing the Paralympics are and the talent the athletes have, plus the games are so fun to watch. There was a lot more coverage in London and people could see disability on TV. There is still a lot of stigma around disability and personally I still get looked at, which I really don’t like, I’ve only got a missing arm. I think it’s really important for younger generations to see disability because it then becomes normal. I think the Paralympics changes people’s perceptions in a really amazing way. However, I still feel we have a long way to go, but we are heading in the right direction.
How important do you think campaigns like Summer of Sport are?
I think campaigns like this are really important. Sport isn’t just about competing in big tournaments and world-renowned competitions, it’s about making friends and understanding what your body is capable of, while having fun, which is really important. I recommend that other families apply to Caudwell Children for help towards Sports Equipment, they are always there to help. I often think what would have happened if I didn’t get help from Caudwell Children for my javelin, they played a big part of my journey to become a professional athlete.
What advice would you give to disabled young people who dream of becoming a professional athlete?
I would say try loads of sports, not just one, and to have fun with everything. There is always going to be an element of doubt when trying something new, but it’s totally worth it.
What are you most looking forward to in the Paris 2024 Paralympics?
I’m really excited about the games, but every emotion is going around in my brain. I can’t believe how quickly the games have come around, but it’s really nice that the games are closer to home, so more people can get involved. I just want to enjoy it and I think it’ll be an incredible experience.
What improvements would you like to see in Parasports?
In the Diamond League for javelin, they don’t let Olympians and Paralympians compete together. It would be amazing for me because I throw the same weight javelin as the Olympic women. I would love to compete against non-disabled women. A lot of money through sponsors is thrown at the Olympics and I wish this was the same for the Paralympics. We are trying to inspire the next generation of athletes and I just want us to be seen as equal.
Check out our latest TikTok video featuring Hollie! Here: @CaudwellChildren
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* Photo Credit: Nike