SOPHIE'S ROAD TO RIO

It goes without question that athletes work their whole lives to even have a slim chance at competing in the Olympics and Paralympics. It is THE biggest sporting event in their career, and lifetime. The strict diets and training regimes, late nights and early mornings, countless hours of sweat, blood and tears are just half the struggle. With the next Olympic and Paralympic Games just around the corner, starting in under 95 days, I can imagine the preparation is getting more intense as the days go by. It is with the utmost respect and admiration that I write this post, as one of my oldest friends, Sophie Carrigill, prepares to be a part of the magic in Rio this summer.

I have known Sophie since we were about 7 years old; we grew up in the same school and spent countless weekends and summer holidays together. So when I heard the news in 2010 that would change her life forever, it came as an utter shock. But, it is because of the events that year I write this post as Sophie continues to be an inspiration to so many people around her.

Sophie was in a life threatening car accident six years ago in America, which left her paralysed from the waist down. On finding out the terrifying news, I think everyone feared the worst. But Sophie, being the warrior she is (as you’ll come to realise later), completely defied all the odds and was released from the hospital just a few months later. It really was a miracle, and it is down to her being one of the strongest people I am honoured to know that she fought back from such a horrific accident and is in the position she is in today.

It took her just a little while to settle in to her new life as she started back at school not long after she returned to England. Sophie began doing what she used to do, only with the addition of a wheelchair. It was so inspiring to see a girl so determined to return to normality. She seemed in no way phased by what had happened, she just got on with life. However, there was one big thing missing in her life, and that was sport. Sophie had been so active and sporty before the accident, so it was an extra kick in the teeth when she wasn’t able to do what she loved the most.

As I mentioned earlier, Sophie has the most determination I think I have ever seen in a person and it wasn’t long before she joined the charity ‘BackUp’. BackUp is a charity that helps those who have unfortunately suffered from spinal injuries, and supports them in their journey towards a normal life. Sophie went on trips to places like the Lake District with the charity and took part in challenges such as abseiling, canoeing and rock climbing. Taking part in these activities made her believe that anything was possible, it made her realise that she still had that competitive edge and needed the sport back in her life. And it was from this moment on where Sophie’s wheelchair basketball career, and road to the Rio Paralympics, really started.

Sophie joined her local wheelchair basketball team, Leeds Spiders, with no real intentions of ever being good or playing professionally. But, her grit, determination and sporting prowess placed the odds in her favour and even though she tells me she hated her first training session, she pushed herself to keep playing and master the many skills involved in wheelchair basketball.  This is when Sophie fell in love with the sport and after playing just a few games; a staff member from the GB team approached her and invited her along to one of the women’s open camps.

It was after the camp that Sophie was approached and told that if she trained hard enough, she could end up at Rio. What an achievement! After such an incredibly tough journey, to be told you are good enough to potentially compete in the Rio Olympics, representing your country… that was probably the best news she had received in her life. It was time now to put her head down and really push towards that goal. And the news came just before the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics in London, where Sophie was part of the Paralympic Inspiration Programme. This meant she was able to visit the athlete’s village, and really got a taster of what life would be like. I can’t even begin to imagine the feeling, can you? The experience of 2012 just motivated her even more to one-day play for her country. It is down to Sophie’s undeniable ‘never say die’ attitude that saw her into this position, and nobody deserves Paralympic success more.

The next couple of years for Sophie were completely manic. Balancing her last year of A Levels whilst doing training camps and playing games, I have so much admiration for this girl. 2013 saw her and the GB team claim a bronze medal at the European Championships, an unbelievable accomplishment for her first major tournament! Sophie then moved to Worcester, not only for university but because that was where the GB wheelchair basketball team was based until Rio, and she was determined to give herself the best chance in making the team for the Paralympics. She was then rewarded with selection in the 2014 World Championship team, a place she didn’t think she would get. Not only was she selected in the team but also she was asked if she would take on the captain’s role! It’s a simply incredible story. In just four short years, Sophie had gone from being in a life threatening accident to GB Women’s Wheelchair Basketball team captain. I can’t imagine the feelings she was going through! I spoke to Sophie, and she said being asked to be captain was “the biggest achievement of [her] life, nothing has made [her] so proud.”

It is the year of Rio now and with the selection for the GB Paralympic team imminent, Sophie has even bigger and better things lying just around the corner as she admitted she couldn’t even put into words how excited she is for Rio! “The training [for Rio] is more intense and focused every day. Our goal is to get a medal, and who knows where we could end up.” Sophie said as she spoke about the upcoming games.

The idea for this post was inspired by Sophie and what a phenomenal journey she has been on. From such a horrific accident, to GB captain in just four years, I defy any of you to not notice the extraordinary talent and determination that this girl has. I am so extremely proud and I can’t wait to watch one of my oldest friends knock the socks off these Paralympic games.