Penny Briscoe: Leading with purpose beyond Paris
University of Birmingham Sport Hall of Famer, Penny Briscoe’s path to becoming one of Paralympic sport’s most influential leaders began with a conversation over coffee at a Starbucks in Birmingham New Street Station. Since then, her journey has taken her from athlete to coach to the helm of ParalympicsGB and she continues to shape the modern Paralympic movement both on and off the field. (Headline photo from ParalympicsGB)
Fresh from leading ParalympicsGB through a successful Paris 2024 Games, Briscoe has been announced as Chef de Mission for Los Angeles 2028 — her sixth time leading the team. Her appointment reflects not just decades of experience, but her unwavering belief in the power of sport to drive inclusion, change lives, and push boundaries.
From paddle to podium to purpose
Briscoe’s sporting journey began in a canoe, representing Great Britain between 1983 and 1995. After missing Olympic selection for Atlanta 1996, she transitioned into coaching, staying involved by helping others reach the highest level. That moment sparked a new path, moving from elite coach to national programme manager to, eventually, the very top of Paralympic sport administration.
Since joining ParalympicsGB in 2001, Briscoe has played a key role in leading Britain through some of its most defining Games from Athens 2004, where para sport still lacked crowds and coverage, to London 2012, where 70,000 fans watched Hannah Cockroft win gold in a moment Briscoe calls a coming of age for Paralympic sport.
(Photo courtesy of ParalympicsGB)
“We’re still only part of the way there”
What sets Briscoe apart isn’t just her expertise, it’s her passion. As she marks nearly 25 years at ParalympicsGB, her enthusiasm continues to grow.
“I believe I have the best job in the world. I get to work with elite athletes, but also be part of something that creates real social impact.”
She’s acutely aware of the movement’s wider purpose: to challenge perceptions, knock down barriers, and build a better world for disabled people. From empty stands in Athens to Paralympians becoming household names, she’s helped para sport step out of the shadows, but believes there’s more work ahead.
“Could you name a Paralympian 20 years ago? Now they’re stars on reality TV, in the media, in the public eye. Rightly so. They are elite athletes.”
(Photo courtesy of ParalympicsGB)
Resilience and innovation
The delayed Tokyo Games tested every nation’s resolve. But it also highlighted the resilience of ParalympicsGB and the spirit of its athletes. Briscoe remembers one athlete, Ryan Cockbill, who built a shooting range through a window in his house during lockdown. That kind of commitment, she says, defines the team.
Despite restrictions, the team thrived. “More successful than we could’ve dreamed,” she reflects, crediting a shared sense of unity and purpose in the face of adversity.
(Photo courtesy of ParalympicsGB)
Looking to LA
(Photo courtesy of ParalympicsGB)
Now, Briscoe turns her attention to Los Angeles 2028. This is the first time LA will host the Paralympic Games, having previously staged the Olympics in 1932 and 1984. She’s excited about what American ambition and showmanship could bring to the sport.
“Hollywood meets sport. If any country can present para sport in a way the world won’t forget, it’s the US.”
Alongside that excitement comes responsibility. As part of ParalympicsGB’s “Championing Change” strategy, Briscoe is determined to keep pushing for equality, visibility, and opportunity.
Whether you’re a student athlete, a staff member, or someone discovering sport for the first time, Penny Briscoe’s story is a powerful reminder: sport isn’t just about performance, it’s a platform for progress.
And with Sport Hall of Famer, Briscoe at the helm once again, the future of Paralympic sport has never looked brighter.
