Who is Kare Adenegan? Get to know the five-time Paralympic medallist and wheelchair athlete
PARALYMPIC athlete Kare Adenegan is gearing up to upgrade her silver medals to a pair of golds in Paris.
The ParalympicsGB star joins her team mate in the Paris 2024 Paralympic women’s 100m, alongside one of Britain’s most successful athletes. Here’s everything you need to know.
Who is Kare Adenegan?
Kare Adenegan is a British wheelchair athlete specialising in sprint distances.
Born December 29, 2000, Kare was born with a condition called cerebral palsy.
Growing up in Coventry, England, Kare made her international debut at the 2015 World Championships in Doha, where she won a pair of bronze medals at the age of 14.
A year later she earned her first Paralympic medal at the Summer Paralympics in 2016.
In 2018, she set a then New World record in the 100m at the Müller Anniversary Games in London, with a time of 16.80 seconds.
Kare is one of the only disabled athletes to have completed the 100 metres in sub 17 seconds.
In 2018, she won the BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year Award and in 2023 she was named on the Disability Power 100 list.
In response to making the prestigious power list Kare told the Shaw Trust:
“I feel so honoured to be included in the Disability Power List 2023. Disabled voices matter, it’s time to speak up and celebrate our uniqueness and influence.
“As a Black, female Paralympian, I desire to see more diversity in the para-sport world which will reflect the beautifully diverse disabled community.”
What sport does Kare Adenegan compete in?
The Coventry star will compete in the T34 100m and 800m events in Paris after winning silver in both races at the Tokyo 2020 Games.
Kare first drew her inspiration to become a para athlete from watching the seven-time Paralympic champion, Hannah Cockcroft.
When will Kare Adenegan compete in the 2024 Paralympics?
Viewers are set to see Kare race alongside her idol Hannah Cockcroft in the women’s T34 100m on Sunday 1 September.
Speaking on her admiration for Hannah after beating her to top spot at the London Anniversary Games in 2015 she said:
“I was completely in awe of Hannah after 2012,” she says.
“I remember when I first met her in January 2013.
“I had my phone and I wanted to take a cool selfie.
“I was literally shaking and thinking, ‘oh my, it’s Hannah Cockroft’.
“She is still a huge role model to me. I think of the success she has had and she continues to have and I have so much respect for that.
“It’s so amazing that I watched her and I am now on the start line with her.
“Sometimes I have to pinch myself and think, ‘wow I am doing it’.
“It is great to race alongside her and I think we learn from each other.”
Channel 4's Paralympics Line-Up
Channel 4 have a star-studded line-up of hosts and pundits for their coverage of the 2024 Paralympics
The presenting team is headed up by former Paralympian turned TV host Ade Adepitan.
Five-time Paralympic swimming champion Ellie Simmonds is making her debut with the broadcaster, alongside actress, producer and former Strictly winner Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Veteran sports broadcaster Clare Balding also appears on-screen, as does racing-driver-turned-commentator Billy Monger and Invictus Games medallist and presenter JJ Chalmers.
The line-up also includes adventurer and former rugby union player Ed Jackson, TV and radio presenter Vick Hope, comedian Josh Pugh and sports presenter Lee McKenzie.
There’s also an experienced team who are there to commentate, including in the athletics, the wheelchair rugby and the equestrian events.
Further expert analysis comes courtesy of multi-Paralympic medallist Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson and Paralympic gold-medal sprinter Libby Clegg.