The sport incurs average costs of over £20,000 ($30,500/€25,500) each year, and 98 per cent of all athletes surveyed said their costs had either stayed the same or increased compared to 2013.

That figure is substantially more than the average cost for all sports, which the survey found to be around the £6,000 ($9,000/€8,000) mark, showing that funding continues to be a major barrier for athletes.

SportAid also found that disabled athletes have a different motivation to that of able-bodied athletes, with the majority saying inspiring others is their main reason for taking up a sport rather than becoming a professional in their chosen sport.

More than a third of disabled respondents expect to carry on working whilst pursuing a sport, and that figure drops to around 22 per cent for non-disabled athletes.

London 2012 provided a key reason why disabled athletes chose to get involved in sport, with 20 per cent citing that as the main cause for their involvement.

Rio 2016 provides the next development stage in the careers of young Paralympians
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Every one of the 650 athletes who responded to the survey believe that SportsAid themselves were helpful or even essential to their development and progress, and that 100 per cent of the athletes' sports would not be able to replace the vital funding they provide.

The charity continues to provide substantial support to both disabled and non-disabled athletes across the United Kingdom.

Tim Lawler, SportsAid chief executive, believes the extent of the value of his organisation can be seen in the results of the survey.

"We owe it to this next generation to continue to provide support and recognition," he told the SportsAid website.

"It matters and it makes a difference."

To read the full survey click here. 

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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