A MAN from south-east Cornwall who is behind Channel 4’s coverage of the Paralympics is hoping that more disabled people will be inspired to take part in accessible sports through the Paris Games.
Joe Blake-Turner is Commissioning Editor for the broadcaster’s sports coverage and oversees everything from Formula One highlights to extensive Paralympic coverage.
The 45-year-old is himself classed as disabled as he has a spinal disorder which only emerged in more recent years, which in part prompted a move out of London to Pillaton, near Saltash.
Although he can walk, Joe is a player and trustee for West Country Hawks wheelchair rugby club, which trains every week at the Life Centre, in Plymouth.
He was emboldened to embrace the opportunity of taking part in wheelchair rugby through being involved behind-the-scenes in C4’s Paralympic coverage.
“It’s one of the main reasons I joined Channel 4,” he said. “When I first joined, we had the Formula One and the Paralympics and that was it.
“When I joined, Channel Four’s Paralympics coverage is right up there, and so I came to C4 really excited to work on that.
“I have a brother with a disability, so it meant something more to me as well, but then I came to the realisation that actually I am disabled as well. Everyone’s journey with disability is different, and I was unaware of my underlying conditions for most of my life, but then around 2012 I started having some issues.
Denne historien er fra August 30, 2024-utgaven av The Herald.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra August 30, 2024-utgaven av The Herald.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
GIBSON IS TROUBLED
PERSISTENT THIGH INJURY FORCES DEFENDER TO SIT IT OUT
Furious Rooney admits: 'It can't carry on'
WOEFUL PILGRIMS THRASHED 6-1 BY A RAMPANT NORWICH CITY
Guardiola sorry for self harm comment
PEP Guardiola has insisted he did not want to make light of issues of self harm after comments about a cut on his nose on Tuesday night.
Henderson frustrated as naive Tavi get beat
TAVISTOCK manager Stuart Henderson cut a frustrated figure after seeing his side go down to a 3-2 defeat at Bashley in Southern League Division One with the inexperience of youth costing them dear.
Goodwin and Cox enjoy super win over defending champions
IN the mixed, there was a top of the table clash when Alison Goodwin and Alex Cox played last year’s winners Fiona Crutchley and Nick Haley.
Car makers are facing challenges - minister
THE problems facing car manufacturers as they shift to electric vehicles are not confined to Stellantis, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds warned after the Vauxhall owner announced plans to close its Luton plant.
Ready meals 'rip-off' Six held in terror probe
POPULAR UK restaurant chains may be “misleading or even ripping parents off” by serving ready meals and ultra-processed menus to children, according to a study.
Death of mum and son in avalanche 'tragic accident'
A MOTHER and son caught in an avalanche in the French Alps while skiing were killed in a “tragic accident”, an inquest has heard.
Lebanese start to return home amid ceasefire
A CEASEFIRE between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah appears to be holding.
Online taxi firms welcomed
LOCALS MOSTLY APPROVE BUT CABBIES ARE CAUTIOUS
