WARRINGTON club thrower Gemma Prescott says she “feels at home” in London’s Olympic Stadium after adding another medal to her collection.
On the opening night of the IPC World Para-athletics Championships on Friday, Penketh’s Prescott won bronze in the F32 club throw event.
Gemma Prescott on her way to Bronze in the IPC World Para-athletics Champions at London's Olympic Stadium. Picture by Paul Sanwell/OP Photographic
The former Great Sankey High School pupil, who suffers from cerebral palsy and throws from her wheelchair, also won bronze in the same stadium at the 2012 Paralympics and the 33-year-old says the home crowd inspired her to perform well.
“I had plenty of friends that came down and watched me. The place really does feel like home for me,” she told British Athletics.
“To have that opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd, not once but twice in my career, is pretty special.
“To come away with medals on both occasions as well is just amazing.”
In practice mode, back in 2012
A throw of 19.97 metres was enough to secure third place for Prescott, with Algeria’s Mounia Gasmi claiming the gold medal and Tunisia’s Maroua Ibrahmi taking silver.
Prescott threw further than she did at last year’s Paralympics in Rio, where she also won bronze, and said she was confident she could perform well despite an indifferent spell since returning from Brazil.
“I knew I was in decent form coming into the championships,” she said.
“It’s been a rough year and I’ve had a few injury problems since Rio but I’ve been throwing well.
“I was just looking forward to being in the stadium and that made me confident I could perform well.”
During her medal-laden career, Prescott has also won a Commonwealth Games bronze medal in the shot put when representing England in 2010 in Delhi and a silver in last year’s European Championships.
A former swimmer, Prescott took up athletics when she was invited to a “have a go” session at the age of 15 and she had a word of advice for aspiring athletes.
“Take all the opportunities you are given and give everything a try,” she said.
“If you keep trying different things, you will find the sport you’re best at.
“As a youngster I was trying plenty of different sports so I would advise anyone to just throw themselves into it and go for it.
“I never thought as a youngster that I would be going to the Paralympics and world championships, but I took all the opportunities that were put in front of me.”
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