Global first: Channel 4 reveals all-star disabled presenting team for Paralympic Winter Games

Virgin Radio

7 Feb 2022, 17:35

Channel 4 has announced an exciting top-class team who will present the upcoming Beijing Paralympics and has been described as a ‘global first’ for the world class sporting event.

Taking place from March 4-13, a lineup of star pundits like this has never been seen before, while the channel boasts exclusive rights in the UK for the games.

Sports presenter and wheelchair basketballer Ade Adepitan will front a daily highlights show, while quadriplegic former professional rugby player Ed Jackson and Paralympic champion triathlete and Strictly contestant Lauren Steadman are the faces of the 2022 breakfast show.

Also on the bill is Paralympic swimmer Ellie Robinson and double amputee racing driver Billy Monger as on-screen reporters, with Winter Paralympic sitskier Sean Rose and sports coverage overnight being lead by Tokyo 2020 presenter Arthur Williams.

Ian Katz, director of programmes at Channel 4, said: "Channel 4 is incredibly proud to announce a stellar presenting team and – in a first for any broadcaster around the world – an entire presenting team who are disabled.

"This is testament to the brilliant disabled presenting talent we have in the UK and underlines our commitment to providing opportunities and for people with disabilities and making our output truly representative of the entire population.

"We are looking forward to once again bringing a global audience to the Paralympic Games and are proud of what we have achieved since London 2012, shifting perceptions of disabled people and bringing world-class sporting drama to our viewers through our significant investment in coverage and award-winning marketing campaigns.

"We will bring the best coverage possible to the British public, live from China, so we can all get behind ParalympicsGB and celebrate their success in Beijing."

Andrew Parsons, president of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), commented: "When I heard that all of Channel 4’s presenting team at the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games will be persons with disabilities, I was stunned, but not surprised because they are a world-leading organisation in disability inclusion.

"The IPC has been working on the Paralympic Games with Channel 4 since 2012 and at every Games they have improved the broadcast landscape on Para sports.

"They are exactly what public sector broadcasting is all about, having the bravery to say: 'We will be the first to do that'. And this latest landmark decision is important because representation matters.

"There are over 15% of persons in Great Britain with a disability and they should be able to switch on a TV and see wonderfully ordinary persons with disabilities like them in front of the camera. This is change starting with sport."