12 June 2018
Penny Briscoe confirmed as ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020
The British Paralympic Association (BPA) has today announced the appointment of Penny Briscoe OBE as Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020.
Briscoe carried out the role when ParalympicsGB achieved an historic 147 medals including 64 golds to finish second in the medal table at Rio 2016. More recently she was Chef de Mission as ParalympicsGB secured its best-ever performance at a Winter Games, winning seven medals including a gold at Pyeongchang 2018.
Briscoe, who is Director of Sport at the BPA, can draw on a wealth of experience as Tokyo 2020 will be her ninth Paralympic Games and fourth as Chef de Mission.
Briscoe with the team at the Sochi 2014 closing ceremony
Rapidly evolving
She said: “I am incredibly honoured and proud to be asked to be Chef de Mission for ParalympicsGB at Tokyo 2020.
“All the team at the BPA are working tirelessly to support a best prepared team at Tokyo 2020 and to ensure athletes and staff can thrive during the Games.
“Ultimately, we want to create an environment where our athletes can deliver the personal best and medal winning performances they, and their support teams, have worked so hard for. It really is a team effort and one which we are totally focussed upon”.
“Tokyo 2020 promises to be an immensely competitive Games in the rapidly evolving world of Paralympic sport as rival nations strive to match the achievements of ParalympicsGB.”
It really was one of my easier decisions. Penny has been a hugely important figure in the success of ParalympicsGB and is widely respected worldwide as a leading Chef de Mission and expert in Paralympic sport.
Tim Hollingsworth OBE, BPA Chief Executive, said: “It is a real pleasure to confirm Penny’s appointment as Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020.
“It really was one of my easier decisions. Penny has been a hugely important figure in the success of ParalympicsGB and is widely respected worldwide as a leading Chef de Mission and expert in Paralympic sport.
“I am delighted we will continue to benefit from her wealth of experience and unparalleled knowledge to create the best possible environment for our athletes in Tokyo.
Briscoe hugs Menna Fitzpatrick at PyeongChang 2018 homecoming
Broader ambition
“We know the success of ParalympicsGB athletes at the Games is crucial to supporting our broader ambition to use their inspiration and status to challenge perceptions, break down barriers and in the words of our vision: through sport inspire a better world for disabled people.”
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will feature 22 sports including Para taekwondo and Para badminton for the first time and be staged from 25th August to 6th September 2020.
Join the ParalympicsGB movement
