Boccia Star McGuire Eyes Paralympic Gold After Securing Paris 2024 Spot
By Megan Armitage in Paris
Boccia star Stephen McGuire has overcome a career-threatening injury and a gruelling qualification battle to secure his place at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. The 40-year-old from Hamilton, Scotland, has his sights set on finally claiming a Paralympic medal after a string of impressive performances.
McGuire's journey to Paris has been anything but straightforward. After a triumphant performance at the Tokyo 2020 Games, he suffered a serious injury, breaking his femur and knee. This setback forced him out of the sport for an entire year, causing a significant drop in his world ranking and jeopardizing his qualification hopes for Paris.
Despite facing adversity, McGuire remained determined to compete on the world stage. He launched himself back into training, working tirelessly to regain his fitness and re-establish his position in the global rankings. His dedication paid off, as he secured a coveted spot in the individual competition for the upcoming Games.
"This qualification has been the toughest one yet," said McGuire, a member of UK Sport's National Lottery-funded World Class Programme. This programme provides athletes with vital support, including full-time training, access to top coaches, and cutting-edge medical care.
McGuire described the challenges he faced in his comeback: "I had a major injury in 2021, which took me out for over a year. It was hard to climb back up the rankings. We missed out on qualification as a pair, but I was determined to prove myself in the individual competition. This year has been a whirlwind of travel and competition, but I'm delighted with my performance, winning 17 out of 18 international medals."
McGuire's unwavering focus and strategic prowess earned him one of two bipartite places available for Paris 2024. His gold medal at the Sao Paulo World Cup, coupled with his relentless pursuit of excellence, propelled him to third in the world rankings.
"A lot of it is experience," explained McGuire, who has been nicknamed "Mr Strategy" due to his tactical brilliance. "I've been playing for 20 years and I've studied the game meticulously. I knew I hadn't qualified for the pairs competition, so I focused on what I needed to do to secure my spot in the individual competition. That gold medal at the World Cup propelled me to third in the world rankings, a position I haven't held for six or seven years. I'm incredibly pleased with my performances."
McGuire is now aiming to achieve something he has been chasing for years: a Paralympic medal. He has previously secured fourth place finishes in both the individual and pairs competitions at London 2012 and Rio 2016, but has yet to stand on the Paralympic podium.
"I've managed to win every medal on offer except for a Paralympic medal," he admitted. "I've come fourth three times in the past. I would love to finally achieve that medal, not just for myself, but for ParalympicsGB."
McGuire's determination, coupled with his recent success and the backing of the National Lottery, provides him with the tools to achieve his dream. He is ready to face the challenge head-on and leave his mark on the Paralympic stage in Paris.
