Irish Paralympian’s wheelchair “completely broken” while travelling to Tokyo Games

The Paralympic swimmer said his wheelchair's wheels had been damaged so much that "they no longer spin".

Irish Paralympic swimmer Patrick Flanagan has revealed that his wheelchair was "completely broken" while travelling to London on his journey to the Tokyo Paralympics. The 23-year-old, who is competing in the S6 class in his first Paralympics, said the experience left him "gutted". In a statement posted to Twitter on Saturday morning, he said: "Yesterday I landed in London Heathrow at the halfway point on my journey to Tokyo for the Paralympic Games. "When the plane landed I was given my wheelchair back, except it was completely broken." Posting images of the broken wheelchair, Flanagan said its wheels had been damaged so much that "they no longer spin". He also said the wheelchair had "a lot of other dents and scrapes". "The staff in Heathrow were extremely apologetic. But unfortunately an apology does very little for me," Flanagan said. "I was given an over sized airport wheelchair, filled out a claim form and sent on my way. I can barely push myself in this new chair and simple tasks like getting around my hotel room are extremely tough. And now I have to fly to Tokyo. "This is not something that can happen to wheelchair users. It's unacceptable. Both airlines and baggage handlers need to pay more attention to chairs. My chair is my independence and takes months to be fitted and ordered. "Mine is specifically sized to support my back, is light weight so I can lift it into the car and is extremely sturdy. It would not be damaged easily. "I'm gutted to have to start out my Paralympic journey like this but I just can't wait to get to Japan, join up with the rest of the team and put on a performance to be proud of. Let's go Team Ireland."

Yday, I landed in Heathrow on my way to Tokyo for the Paralympic Games. My chair was destroyed. My chair is my independence and to be left in an over sized airport chair is degrading. #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/3JfEwnaciZ

— Patrick Flanagan (@PatrickFlan) August 14, 2021

In a follow-up post, Flanagan said he is getting another chair flown out to him. He said: "Thanks to everyone for reaching out this morning. Luckily I’m getting an older chair flown out today. "But not all wheelchair users are lucky enough to have a spare. The point remains the same, this should never happen! "For now, Tokyo we are coming."

Thanks to everyone for reaching out this morning. Luckily I’m getting an older chair flown out today. But not all wheelchair users are lucky enough to have a spare. The point remains the same, this should never happen!

For now, #Tokyo we are coming ?? pic.twitter.com/ua4f41aq68 — Patrick Flanagan (@PatrickFlan) August 14, 2021