Tom Young: The defending Paralympic champion now has all eyes on Paris (VIDEO)
After winning a stunning gold medal in Japan three years ago, T38 sprinter Tom Young is ready to defend his title at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
“I can use the experience I’ve gained in Tokyo and apply it to Paris where it’s going to be even better,” the 24-year-old told Loughborough Sport.
“I’ll use what I’ve learnt in Tokyo to make my performance really good.”
Following a period on the sidelines due to injury, Young has bounced back stronger and is now raring to go at the Paris Games.
But, as the sporting action gets underway in France's capital, it’s not just a podium place on his wish list. Young sees appearing on the global stage as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of medal winners too: “Of course, the main goal is to go there and win and then it’s inspiring the next generation and as many people as possible.”
Coach Joe McDonnell is also full of confidence as Tom attempts to defend his title following that injury lay-off: "The defining thing for a champion is how they bounce back […] Tom Young is definitely back on it,” he said.
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Notes for editors
Press release reference number: 24/142
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings – the eighth year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
After winning a stunning gold medal in Japan three years ago, T38 sprinter Tom Young is ready to defend his title at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
“I can use the experience I’ve gained in Tokyo and apply it to Paris where it’s going to be even better,” the 24-year-old told Loughborough Sport.
“I’ll use what I’ve learnt in Tokyo to make my performance really good.”
Following a period on the sidelines due to injury, Young has bounced back stronger and is now raring to go at the Paris Games.
But, as the sporting action gets underway in France's capital, it’s not just a podium place on his wish list. Young sees appearing on the global stage as an opportunity to inspire the next generation of medal winners too: “Of course, the main goal is to go there and win and then it’s inspiring the next generation and as many people as possible.”
Coach Joe McDonnell is also full of confidence as Tom attempts to defend his title following that injury lay-off: "The defining thing for a champion is how they bounce back […] Tom Young is definitely back on it,” he said.
Loughborough is one of the country’s leading universities, with an international reputation for research that matters, excellence in teaching, strong links with industry, and unrivalled achievement in sport and its underpinning academic disciplines.
It has been awarded five stars in the independent QS Stars university rating scheme, named the best university in the world for sports-related subjects in the 2024 QS World University Rankings – the eighth year running – and University of the Year for Sport by The Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2022.
Loughborough is ranked 6th in The UK Complete University Guide 2025, 10th in the Guardian University League Table 2024 and 10th in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024.
Loughborough is consistently ranked in the top twenty of UK universities in the Times Higher Education’s ‘table of tables’, and in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021 over 90% of its research was rated as ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally-excellent’. In recognition of its contribution to the sector, Loughborough has been awarded seven Queen's Anniversary Prizes.
The Loughborough University London campus is based on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park and offers postgraduate and executive-level education, as well as research and enterprise opportunities. It is home to influential thought leaders, pioneering researchers and creative innovators who provide students with the highest quality of teaching and the very latest in modern thinking.
