London 2012 remembered

‘London 2012 was incredible’

A whole new audience delighted in the thrills and excitement of the London 2012 Paralympics. Ten years on, JESS HUNTER recalls what it was like to take part in those momentous games

Interview by Emily Bright

Jess Hunter

RECORD-BREAKING crowds and

TV audiences of 3.8 billion people watched the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Next Monday (29 August) marks 10 years since the start of the Games, which featured athletes from 164 countries.

GB gold medallists such as swimmer Ellie Simmonds, cyclist Sarah Storey and wheelchair racer David Weir became household names. Audiences also found themselves enjoying events that perhaps they’d never encountered before, such as boccia.

Among the 4,237 athletes taking part in London 2012 was ParalympicsGB boccia player Jess Hunter. Aged 20, and living with cerebral palsy, she was competing in her first Games, in the BC3 pairs category. The International Paralympic Committee defines BC3 competitors as having ‘limitations in arm and leg functions’.

I ask Jess about the sport in which she competed until 2020 and the experience of playing in front of a home crowd.

How woud you describe boccia?

Boccia is a sport of control and accuracy, similar to curling or lawn bowls. Games last four or six ends. Players propel balls towards the target ball or ‘jack’. Each side has six balls (red or blue) per end to try to score points. Players can throw, kick or use a ramp to propel the ball. I am in the BC3 class, which means I use a ramp.

How did you get into boccia?

I had never heard of boccia until I went to a secondary school for disabled children. We used to play it in our PE lessons and afterschool clubs.

What do you enjoy most about the sport?

The fact that I can do it! I am in charge of everything and it’s very tactical. And I loved playing competitions.

Turn to page 6 f

Pull quote to go here and here The London 2012 Paralympics changed public perceptions of disability

Jess playing for Great Britain in Hong Kong in 2019

From page 5

What were the most memorable moments of your career?

London 2012 was incredible. Being on court with my team-mates, especially on the last day when we finally won a game and beat Canada. As it was in London, so many of our family and friends could be there. It was great to share the occasion with them and to hear the roar when we won.

Another memory is the parade through London after the Games had finished. That was one of the best days in my life. There were so many people out on the streets.

What was the atmosphere at London 2012 like?

Amazing, emotional. Before London, we had played at competitions where there weren’t many people watching and it was quite quiet during play, so we had to prepare for it to be a lot noisier. But I thrived on the support of the crowd and found that it encouraged me even more. It was nerve-racking, but we had lots of support from ParalympicsGB on how to manage everything.

The support of the British public was incredible, and it did so much to raise awareness of boccia.

How many hours a week did you have to train for the competition?

When I was preparing for London, I was training five days a week plus conditioning, hydro, physio and training camps in Bath every other weekend so that I could train with my team-mates, as one lived in Wales and one lived in Scotland.

What do you think the legacy of the London Paralympics was?

I think the London Paralympics opened everyone’s eyes to Paralympic sport and changed public perceptions of disability, but there is still a long way to go in society in terms of how everyone treats each other.

What impact has cerebral palsy had on your life?

Cerebral palsy is the name for a group of lifelong conditions that affect movement and co-ordination. It’s caused by a problem with the brain that develops before, during or soon after birth.

All people with cerebral palsy have problems with movement and posture, and some also have some level of intellectual disability, seizures and abnormal physical sensations or perceptions, as well as other medical disorders. People with cerebral palsy also may have impaired vision or hearing, and language and speech problems.

For me personally, it has affected all four of my limbs and my speech.

It means that I need help with most aspects of daily life. For me, it’s a physical thing, not a mental thing.

I don’t really feel it has impacted my life, because – although I still need help with things – it has never stopped me doing anything. I’ve always done what I have wanted to do but with additional help. I’ve always got on with it and had a can-do attitude towards life.

How did you communicate nonverbally with your competition partner?

We made sure we had lots of practice at this. My partner would make sure they asked me questions where I could respond with ‘yes’ or ‘no’. For example, they would ask, ‘Can you see the jack?’ or, ‘Can you see more than 50 per cent of the jack?’ rather than just asking, ‘How much of the jack can you see?’

I understand that you attend the Salvation Army church in Staines. What impact has faith had on your life?

I used to go to the Salvation Army church when I was little, but I took some time away for school and boccia. However, faith has always been there in the background throughout my life, and coming back to church has helped me have some me time.

What does a relationship with Jesus mean to you?

Jesus helps me choose how I live my life – and I’m loving life and living it to the full, so I have full trust in him.

Are there any particular Bible passages that sustained you throughout your sporting career?

One that comes to mind is Proverbs 3:5 and 6: ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.’ I believe that God has already planned the way for me, and this verse reminds me to trust him when I am unsure.

What are your hopes for the future?

I am exploring some volunteering opportunities. Now I am back at The Salvation Army, I plan to carry on my relationship with Jesus and hope that it will get stronger.

Playing against Canada at London 2012