Jonnie Peacock Calls for Greater Visibility in Para Athletics Following Fifth Place Finish

Double Paralympic champion Jonnie Peacock has urged World Athletics president Lord Sebastian Coe to enhance the visibility of Para athletics following his fifth-place finish in the T64 100m final in Paris.

Peacock clocked a time of 10.91 seconds, marking the first time he has not secured an individual medal at the Games. He made a direct appeal to Coe, stating that the Para athletics events ought to be included in future Diamond League meets.

World Athletics operates separately from World Para Athletics, with the scheduling of Diamond League events managed by individual operators. Peacock expressed his belief that the race he competed in, and Para athletics in general, deserve significantly greater visibility within the sporting community.

“This is a race that I think people want to see, and this is a race that I think is exciting,” said Peacock. “Seb Coe, I need you, we need you. And we need you to put us in the actual Diamond League,” he emphasized.

Peacock criticized the current arrangements whereby Para athletics events are often placed outside the main broadcast times, saying, “We need to be visible. Paralympics, we need to stop letting it die.” He voiced concerns that despite years of calls for inclusion, Para athletics has yet to be featured in the Diamond League.

In the T64 100m final, gold was claimed by Sherman Guity from Costa Rica, who set a Paralympic record of 10.65 seconds. Silver went to Italian world champion Maxcel Amo Manu, and defending champion Felix Streng of Germany secured the bronze.

Reflecting on his performance, Peacock expressed disappointment, stating, “I’ve beaten myself this year,” and remarked that he believes he could have performed better based on his past capabilities.

He plans to continue competing, setting sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games, affirming his physical readiness and determination to return to form.