Stephen and Patrick earn Paralympic slots

Stephen McGuire and Patrick Wilson have been added to ParalympicGB’s boccia squad for the Paris Games this summer.

The pair, both from Scotland, earned their spots through bipartite applications to World Boccia which studied world rankings, outstanding results in major events and recent results.

It will be McGuire’s fourth Paralympic Games, having made his debut at London 2012 and since competing in Rio and Tokyo. It’s been a rollercoaster couple of years for the boccia ace from Hamilton, Lanarkshire however after he sustained a serious injury in 2022.

the paralympicsgb boccia squad in full

Breaking his knee and femur, he underwent major surgery. But he has achieved a positive comeback, having won silver at the Montreal World Cup in May and gold at the Sao Paulo World Cup in June. This saw him soaring to the world number three spot in the rankings

“To secure one of the two remaining individual slots for Paris and so close to the Games is incredible. This cycle has been the toughest of my career. Battling injury and dropping out of the world's top ten meant I really had to fight back to secure a world number three spot to earn this selection.

stephen mcguire has overcome injury to achieve a spot in paris

“I'm extremely proud to represent ParalympicsGB at my fourth Paralympics - there's no greater privilege that being trusted to wear the nation's kit and showcase our skills at the highest level.”

Meanwhile, Edinburgh’s Patrick Wilson can now look forward to his second Paralympic Games. He competed at Rio 2016 where he helped the BC3 Pair finish sixth. He too has enjoyed good form in 2024, winning a bronze medal at the Sao Paulo World Cup and gold at the Lahti Challenger.

“I’m extremely happy and relieved to be given a bipartite place for Paris 2024. I feel I deserved it given what I’ve achieved this year and also because I really feel I can go and do something special. And everything in the next six weeks will be geared towards being ready and prepared.”

patrick setto make his second paralympic appearance

Greg Baker, Performance Director of Boccia UK, said: 

“I’m thrilled for Steph and Paddy. They thoroughly deserve these spots, having demonstrated at recent World Cup events that they can achieve medals. We’re really grateful to World Boccia and now look forward to our continued preparations for Paris with a seven-strong ParalympicsGB boccia squad.”