Our Tribute to Elizabeth II: the Queen’s involvement in Para Sport throughout her reign

Elizabeth II, who passed away on 8 September 2022, will be remembered by many for having a rich affinity with sport. Part of her devotion as Britain’s longest reigning monarch was the support she showed towards the nation’s sporting events.

Although horse riding was her main sport, there is a strong connection between the longest-reigning monarch and the Commonwealth Games and Paralympics. Elizabeth II was a huge supporter of Paralympians, often welcoming them to her palace. She hosted athletes, coaches, support staff and supporters at various events over many years.

Paralympics

Most notably, Elizabeth II opened the London Paralympic Games in 2012 and paid tribute to Paralympic athletes in her annual Christmas speech that year, which was broadcasted to Commonwealth countries.

In her message Elizabeth II hailed London for hosting “a splendid summer of sport” and commended athletes for the “achievement and courage at the Olympic and Paralympic Games” which she believed inspired “skill, dedication, training and teamwork” amongst spectators. She continued: “In pursuing their own sporting goals, they gave the rest of us the opportunity to share something of the excitement and drama.”

On their website the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) paid a tribute to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth upon her death. IPC President Andrew Parsons issued the following statement:

“The International Paralympic Committee sends its deepest condolences to the Royal Family of the United Kingdom following the very sad passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth.

“Our thoughts and that of the entire Paralympic Movement are with her family, the British people and the Commonwealth nations at this time.

“Queen Elizabeth provided the IPC with one of out most historic days when she officially opened the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The Royal Family have for many decades been very supportive of the Paralympic Movement and we are forever grateful of their patronage.”

Commonwealth Games

As head of the Commonwealth, Elizabeth II was a dedicated supporter of the quadrennial multi-sport event, attending every games between Edinburgh 1970, where the third Commonwealth Paraplegic Games took place, and Melbourne 2006.

The last games she attended was Glasgow 2014, however, she did oversee the launch of the Queen’s Baton Relay at Buckingham Palace in October last year, consigning her message to the baton ahead of the Birmingham 2022 Games.

London Marathon

Elizabeth II was also synonymous with the London Marathon, which sees male and female elite level wheelchair races descend the streets of London every year. The world-famous race finishes in full view of Buckingham Palace and Elizabeth II was the official starter of the race in 2018.

Get Kids Going! Tribute

Get Kids Going! is a national charity that gives disabled children and young people, up to the age of 26, the opportunity of participating in sport by providing them with equipment and inspiration to compete in events from start to Paralympic level. Get Kids Going! published an endearing tribute from its trustees, chief executive, staff, volunteers, and supporters to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on their website following her death.

They said: “The encouragement and support she gave to so many of the charity’s disabled athletes and Paralympians, especially during the time of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, is something for which we will always be grateful. For this alone she will remain in our hearts and forever be remembered.”

As the monarch who oversaw the worldwide evolution and immense development of the para sport movement over the decades, Elizabeth II will forever be remembered in the British para sport scene.