Taking part in sport and exercise is a basic human right.
Peter Hull MBE was born without legs or forearms but has not let anything stop him from excelling in sport. Since taking up swimming at the age of 5, Peter has gone on to win 3 gold medals (all with world record breaking times) at the 1992 Paralympics, and has raised money for charity through completing 18 half marathons and 12 full marathons. Not only was he named one of the Times Men of the Year in 1985, but Peter’s outstanding services to disability sport were recognised with an MBE in 1991.
Peter was born in Paris in 1965 with arms that end at the elbow and no legs. He began swimming in the 1970s, and by the age of 10 was swimming competitively. He was scouted by the GB Paralympic squad in 1984 and was asked to join the team. He began working at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst and got a swimming coach, Mike Gibson. At the 1992 Barcelona Paralympics he won three gold medals and set three world records!
Peter currently works as Engagement Coordinator within the Active Communities Team at Active Nation, and is committed to empowering people with disabilities to find enjoyment in an active lifestyle. We are proud to be working with Peter on our ActiveAbility initiative to make activity accessible for more disabled teenagers and adults, in more places, more often.
According to the English Federation of Disability Sport, people with a disability are twice as likely to be physically inactive than non-disabled people.[1] This needs to change. Working alongside local heroes like Peter, we hope to inspire others to view disability, not as a barrier to activity, but as a reason to adapt and rethink sport and exercise.
Peter says: “Taking part in sport and exercise is a basic human right with participants benefiting physically, psychologically and socially. ActiveAbility Solent enables this and so much more.”
If you’re feeling inspired, take a look at our Have A Word barrier post on exercising with a disability.
