Benjamin Pritchard appointed to ParalympicsGB Athletes’ Commission

The Paris 2024 PR1 Men’s Single Sculls Paralympic Champion is one of six athletes voted on to the ParalympicsGB Athletes’ Commission following November’s election

The Athletes’ Commission elections take place every two years, with athletes able to serve a maximum of two four-year terms. There are 12 members in the Commission, which is currently chaired by Beijing 2008 rowing gold medallist Helene Raynsford.

Benjamin said, “I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to ensure that the athletes’ voice is continually heard and at the forefront of decisions being made. To be voted on by my peers makes this even more special.”

In addition to this new role, Ben is an ambassador for the London Irish Foundation as part of the UK Sport and National Lottery ChangeMakers campaign, helping with their disability inclusion programme. He sits on the World Rowing athlete commission and is a board director at Welsh Rowing. He has also been a mentor on the True Athlete Project since 2023.

The other new members of the Commission, who will take up their positions in the New Year, are Paris 2024 gold medallist Jody Cundy (cycling); Tokyo 2020 wheelchair rugby champion Kylie Grimes, the first woman to win Paralympic gold in the sport; powerlifter Louise Sugden, who claimed bronze in Tokyo; and Joanna Butterfield, who transitioned to wheelchair curling in 2022 after a hugely successful Para athletics career which included club throw gold at Rio 2016. Three-time Paralympian and 2022 boccia world champion Claire Taggart was re-elected for a second term, and previously Charlotte Henshaw (canoe), Lora Fachie (cycling), Hannah Cockroft (athletics), Dave Ellis (triathlon) and Kelly Gallagher (Alpine skiing) are continuing on the Commission.