Two inspiring athletes from North Yorkshire have represented Great Britain at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, bringing pride and a gold medal back to their home region.

Faye Rogers and Charlotte ‘Lottie’ McGuiness have shown that perseverance and dedication can lead to success on the world’s biggest stage.

Swimming sensation Faye blazed to Paralympic gold in the women’s 100m butterfly on the third anniversary of the car accident that changed her life.

Faye – whose mother, Jacqui, is a coach at Stokesley swim club – had competed at the 2021 Olympic trials before the accident saw her switch to para swimming.

With GB teammate Callie-Ann Warrington close behind, Faye, the reigning world champion in the event, came roaring back in the closing 50 metres to win her first Paralympic medal.

The 21-year-old said: “It still hasn’t sunk in yet. I think being at home at the moment has made it feel a bit more real and I honestly couldn’t be happier. I’m happy with my performance in Paris but I have also learned a lot and I’m excited to improve and see what I can bring next season.”

Faye began swimming competitively at the age of nine with Richmond Dales as her primary club.

She credits her early training there as a significant part of her journey and that finding clubs which made her feel “welcome” made a “huge difference” to her swimming career.

She said: “Growing up I have trained at a few local clubs including Richmond Dales and Stokesley ASC, which have given me an incredible foundation to build on and all the tools and skills I needed to succeed as an athlete.

“If it wasn’t for local clubs like these, athletes like me, wouldn’t have been able to get into competitive sport and I certainly wouldn’t have considered para sport.”

When possible, Faye also teaches and helps out at Stokesley alongside her mother who describes her input as “invaluable”.

Jacqui said: “It is incredible to see the impact she has on the kids. And it inspires her and motivates her and she really wants to show them that anything is possible.

“As a mum I couldn’t be prouder. She’s worked really hard for this and it hasn’t been easy, so to see her succeed against all the odds is humbling.”

Meanwhile, 22-year-old powerlifter Lottie McGuinness from Harrogate had initially wanted to be a swimmer and was a member of the swim squad at the old Harrogate venue the Hydro after being inspired by the likes of Ellie Simmonds.

It was not until her late teens that she decided to switch to powerlifting.

After two years of training, she made her international debut at the 2021 World Junior Championships, where she came away with a silver medal and then went on to collect a bronze in the Manchester Powerlifting World Cup.

Paris was her Paralympic Games debut, competing in the women’s 55kg powerlifting event. Although she missed out on a medal, finishing just outside the top three, her strength and determination shone through in a highly competitive field.

Lottie described the experience as one she will “never forget”.

She said: “When I came out and I heard the crowd, I was like ‘this is crazy, this is real, this is what you’ve worked for’ and it’s all worth it.

“I’m on a comeback now. I’ll probably have a break after this for a few weeks and then working towards LA where I’ll be qualifying sooner than I did for this one.”

Our council leader, Cllr Carl Les, praised the athletes for their achievements.

He said: “Faye Rogers and Lottie McGuinness have not only made North Yorkshire incredibly proud but have also shown what determination and resilience can achieve.

“Their success highlights the incredible talent we have here, and their stories undoubtedly will inspire the next generation of athletes from our region.”

The Paralympic GB team managed to secure 124 medals, including 49 golds. The success of the North Yorkshire athletes was not limited to the Paralympics.

At the 2024 Paris Olympics, several athletes from the region also brought home medals.

Great Ayton’s Charlie Tanfield won silver in the cycling team pursuits, Scarborough’s Lottie Fry claimed two bronze medals in the dressage and Harrogate’s Jack Laugher took bronze in the synchronised three-metre springboard diving.

Together these athletes have helped cement Yorkshire’s reputation as a hub for sporting excellent and serves as a powerful reminder of the role sport plays in building communities and fostering talent in the future.