Over the last 10 days, millions of people around the world have been captivated by the incredible performances from the competing athletes at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Like the 7,000 athletes who performed in last years’ Special Olympics World Games in Berlin, the Paralympians have all overcome adversity and some of life’s biggest challenges to shine on the biggest stage in sport.
One such athlete who has enjoyed a remarkable journey to the top is former Special Olympics Great Britain (GB) athlete Sabrina Fortune (27) who shattered her own world record in the women’s shot put F20, to win her first Paralympic gold medal.
“I was so scared after watching it on TV the last four or five days, I was so scared of going out there, but it was so amazing,” said Sabrina after winning with a throw of 15.12 metres. “It’s something that I don’t think I’ll ever forget.
“I was expecting about 14m on the first throw, just a simple throw and then I hit the world record. I just wanted to jump up and down and celebrate right then and then I remembered I have five more throws after that and couldn’t do it yet.”
Sabrina joined Special Olympics Wrexham Athletics Club in 2010 after being inspired by her brother’s sporting performances in athletics and rugby.
In 2013 she was selected to represent Special Olympics Wales in the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games in Bath, to compete in multiple athletics events. However, it was clear to her coaches, at such a young age, that she had incredible potential in the shot put.
Her coaching team supported her on a pathway to join the Paralympics Programme in Wales, where she went on to represent Team Paralympics GB at the Games in Rio in 2016. Here she won bronze with a throw of 12.94m.
She subsequently won gold at the World Para Athletics Championships in 2019 and again qualified for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo in 2021, where she finished fifth. However, after a reset and chat with her coaches during a visit to the Special Olympics Summer of Sport event in Wrexham in 2022, she set on a new pathway. This saw her win further gold medals at the last two World Championships before Sunday’s record-breaking feat at the Stade de France in Paris.
“Disability doesn't mean you cannot do something,” said Sabrina in a pre-games talk with Welsh Athletics. “It might make it harder, but it makes the journey so much more sweeter when you achieve what you believe is possible.
“The only person that can stop you from being the best is your own mind. Remember you can be and do whatever you want in sports and in life as long as you believe in yourself.”
Outside of Athletics, Sabrina previously studied Hospitality & Catering at Coleg Cambria and she has a passion for art and baking. She still supports the Special Olympics GB movement and has previously volunteered at events.
Everyone in the Special Olympics movement is incredibly proud of Sabrina and what she continues to achieve.