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11th May 2021
PEMBROKE JOINS BRITISH ATHLETICS PARALYMPIC WORLD CLASS PROGRAMME
British Athletics can confirm Dan Pembroke (coach: David Turner, club: Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow) has accepted a place on the Paralympic World Class Programme (WCP) following the confirmation of his international classification.
F13 javelin athlete, Pembroke, competed at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in Italy last month, throwing 57.77m which ranks him third in the world this year in his classification. He joins the programme at the Paralympic Podium Potential level.
The F13 class includes athletes with a vision impairment. The 29-year-old was diagnosed with RP (Retinitis pigmentosa) when he was six and his eyesight became further impaired during his twenties.
As a junior athlete, he competed for Great Britain and Northern Ireland in three age-group championships; his highest placing was 11th in the javelin at the 2011 IAAF World U20 Championships in Moncton, Canada.
However, an elbow injury ended his chances of qualifying for the Olympic Games in 2012, so he took a break from the sport until 2019. He will wear the British vest for the first time in 10 years at the World Para Athletics European Championships next month.
The British Athletics World Class Programme is UK Sport’s National Lottery-funded initiative to support the delivery of success at the world’s most significant sporting events. Membership onto the WCP for 2021 is based upon an athletes’ realistic potential to win a medal at Tokyo 2020 or Paris 2024.
Dan Pembroke said,
“I’m delighted to be added to the World Class Programme, and I want to thank all of those who have supported me in this journey so far. The support from the Programme will be really beneficial for me as I continue to develop in the sport.
“Returning to the sport in para athletics has made me feel more positive about my eyesight and made me think differently about my disability.”
Paula Dunn, Para Athletics Head Coach said,
“I’m really pleased to be supporting Dan as he targets Tokyo and future global championships. He’s an athlete with real potential and I believe the World Class Programme will benefit him greatly.
“Once again we’d like to thank the National Lottery and UK Sport for their continued investment in the World Class Programme. Their support enables our athletes to be the best prepared in their quest for success at the most significant sporting events on the world stage.”
The Windsor Slough Eton and Hounslow athlete joins the 117 athletes on the programme following the announcement in November last year.