Tearful Greaves reflects on Paralympic journey

By Megan Armitage at Stade de France

Dan Greaves might not have come away with seven medals from seven Paralympics, but he was still brought to tears by when reflecting on his para-athletics journey.

The 41-year-old has won medals in the men's discus at every Games from Sydney to Tokyo but missed out on a seventh podium in Paris.

Greaves was only able to summon a distance of 53.50m and was forced to settle for sixth, unable to put his finger on what went wrong at the Stade de France.

Despite not having the medal around his neck, the Aston Villa fan knew that the journey has been one he cannot fault, holding back the emotions with no knowledge of what the future holds.

“It was clearly not good enough," said Greaves, who is one of over 1,000 elite athletes on UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded World Class Programme, allowing them to train full time, have access to the world’s best coaches and benefit from pioneering medical support – which has been vital on their pathway to the Paris 2024 Games.

"I came into these Champs in great form, warm-ups are a good indication for where you’re at and they were all really good.

"But I just had no rhythm today and I can’t put my finger on it. My coach was saying ‘one of these is going to ping’ but unfortunately that’s sport, I just didn’t have it today and it wasn’t my day.

"I have worked so hard since Tokyo to try and get that seventh medal in seven Games.

"I am a realist, seven Games and six medals is not a bad tally.

"It has taken getting to the grand old age of 41 to realise my past achievements and everything I have done are unreal.

"If you’d said to 13-year-old Dan that I’d have such a long career and medal at all these Championships, it’s just amazing. I have to be proud of myself.”

Greaves may not have won a medal in Paris, but he did with the award of Alex Brooker's favourite Paralympian.

The discus thrower was gifted 'The Last Leg' comedian's personal Paris 2024 mascot 'Hans', noting that it was a pretty nice gift from a close friend when it mattered most.

He said: “Alex Brooker declared me his favourite Paralympian, we are good friends.

"This is a super nice touch and I’ve been trying to catch as much of The Last Leg as possible.”

With seven Paralympics already under his belt, Greaves admitted that he doesn't know what the future looks like for his athletics career.

But having seen para discus rise to new heights over the past 24 years, he takes pride in the success he has achieved.

“We’ll go away and have a think about things in the future," he said.

"I don’t know what the future holds right now, but I’m a motivated guy and who knows what might happen.”

"There are people sitting at home who would love to be wearing this kit and competing. That was the strongest discus field ever. I pride myself on my determination and drive to succeed but I just couldn’t find the rhythm to throw the sort of distance I know I can in Paris."

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