University rooting for Paralympic medal hopefuls at Paris 2024 Games

The University of Manchester is thrilled to be cheering on two talented athletes at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

Grace Harvey, Dental Public Health master’s student and immunology graduate at The University of Manchester, will be heading to the French capital this month to compete in the para-swimming events.

This is not Grace’s first Paralympic appearance, having cinched a silver medal at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 100m breaststroke (SB5). She went on to win gold in the same event at the World Para Swimming Championships in Madeira in 2022, and silver in the Manchester event in 2023 held at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

She has come a long way in her swimming career, having started the sport for physiotherapy and joining her first swimming club at 9 years old. Grace is now the current European champion in the 100m breaststroke (SB5), collecting gold at the 2024 Championships in Madeira and silver in the 100m freestyle (S6).

From Ware, Hertfordshire, Grace is a 10-time British record holder and she swam for the University at the 2018 British Universities and Colleges Sport championships. She is also a University of Manchester Sport Scholar, with her extensive training regime comprising of 8 pool sessions, 3 gym sessions and 2 indoor rowing sessions a week.

Also appearing at the Paralympics this year is Archie Atkinson. Enrolled on the Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme (TASS) and supported by the University, he will be making his Paralympic debut as part of Team GB’s para-cycling team.

Despite being in the early stages of his cycling career, Archie has already won gold in the MC4 individual pursuit at the UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships this year. He also secured gold in the MC4 scratch race at the UCI Cycling World Championships – Para-track, and bronze in the MC4 road race at the UCI Cycling World Championships – Para-road.

James Marenghi, Head of Sport & Physical Activity at The University of Manchester, said: “The scholarship programmes at The University of Manchester are vital in ensuring students are supported in balancing their studies and progressing their sporting aspirations. We are therefore delighted to see a number of our past and present student athletes progress to represent their country in the biggest sports event on the planet and are proud of their achievements.

“Everyone at the University wishes Grace and Archie the very best of luck for their individual competitions, and we will all be supporting them in their aims of winning Paralympic gold!”

The University of Manchester has a proud history of developing elite sportspeople, from students and alumni to athletes supported through TASS, a Sport England funded partnership delivered across education institutions.

Since the scheme launched in 2004, The University of Manchester has been proud to be a TASS Delivery Site. Supporting over 150 athletes over this time, the University provides physiotherapy, lifestyle advice, nutrition support and sport psychology services.

The Paris 2024 Paralympic Games will run from 28 August to 8 September.