Para-athlete Grace given the Games experience

Jersey sprinter Grace Greenwood at Alexander Stadium on Day 7 of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Picture: DAVID FERGUSON (33946797)

ISLAND athlete Grace Greenwood was among those feeling the excitement inside Alexander Stadium this week, as part of her invitation to the Commonwealth Games by Team England.

The para-sprinter spent a day enjoying the best that Birmingham 2022 had to offer following her inclusion in the hosts’ Futures initiative, which gives youngsters with sporting talent a first-hand experience of elite-level competition.

Earlier this year, 100m runner Greenwood had hoped she would be able to compete in the Games herself, but organisers did not include her track classification – T35 – in the para-sport schedule.

She was on hand to cheer fellow Caesarean Zach Saunders on, in the men’s 200m heats.

‘Considering that I don’t get to compete … the fact I’m still here and get to watch is an amazing opportunity and I’m so glad I was invited,’ said the teenager, who is currently ranked 12th in the world at senior level in T35.

‘I think it’s the best atmosphere I’ve ever seen.

‘To see all these amazing athletes is so inspiring and to watch athletes from my own country race and do so well, like Zach, is awesome.

‘After this, we’re going to watch beach volleyball, which will be cool because I haven’t seen that before, and then there’s going to be some workshops [at Birmingham University – Team England Futures’ base].

‘We’re back here to watch the morning events [today] before flying back to Jersey in the afternoon.’

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