Paralympian Clare Cunningham appointed BPA’s Athlete Services Manager

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) is delighted to announce that Clare Cunningham will be joining the organisation in the role of Athlete Services Manager.

Clare is no stranger to the world of Paralympic sport as a three-time Paralympian with experience of competing in two sports. She made her Games debut in Para swimming at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games where she won four silver medals and set a new world record in the 50m freestyle S9 on her way to claiming gold, before competing at her second Games at Atlanta 1996.

An early convert to Para triathlon, Clare returned to Paralympic competition at Rio 2016 and became one of the first British athletes to compete in the sport on its Games debut.

She will take up her role at the BPA on June 20 when she will begin to support ParalympicsGB’s preparations for Tokyo 2020, leading on the planning and delivery of a number of key Games-related areas including Games Education, anti-doping, safeguarding and the BPA’s Athletes’ Commission.

Cunningham said: “I am so pleased to have secured this role at the BPA and can’t wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to using the knowledge and experience that I have gained as an athlete to help support the BPA’s strategy ahead of Tokyo 2020 and into future Games.

“This role covers a number of areas that are hugely important to me, and I’m highly committed to helping the organisation provide invaluable support to British athletes ahead of the Paralympic Games to help them deliver personal best performances.”

Nik Diaper, Head of Performance at the BPA, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to be welcoming Clare to the team after completing a very thorough and competitive recruitment process. The Athlete Services Manager is a crucial role which ensures that our sports and athletes are best prepared for the Paralympic Games. Clare’s insight and experience will be crucial in delivering a world-leading support programme to British athletes.”

During her break from Paralympic sport, Clare held a number of roles in accountancy with Grant Thornton and Deloitte before deciding on a career change into sport. She is currently completing her MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Loughborough University and is also participating in the UK Sport International Leadership Programme.

She also holds roles as a non-executive director for the British Triathlon Federation as well as an Athlete Representative for the International Triathlon Union’s Athletes’ Committee.