The Commonwealth is home to a wide community of Paralympic (Para) athletes whose commitment, preparation and resilience shape sports across every region. On the annual International Persons with Disabilities Day, Commonwealth Sport tends to honour these athletes. Progress is being made to expand opportunity and strengthen pathways, besides supporting performance.
The GAPS Program remains central to this work. It gives Paralympic athletes and coaches access to skills, knowledge, and training environments that they would not otherwise have. Although created by Commonwealth Sport and Griffith University in South East Queensland, the programme now operates in Africa, Europe, Oceania and the Americas through partnerships with Stellenbosch University, the University of Birmingham, the University of Western Scotland, Western University and the University of the West Indies. Its purpose is clear in supporting athletes, equipping coaches, strengthening pathways, and building pride.
A significant milestone in the growth of the program materialised in November 2024 when the Mauritius Commonwealth Games Association hosted a Global GAPS Camp, which was focused on para- athletes. 51 Paralympic athletes and coaches from 21 Commonwealth nations and territories participated. The camp represented all 6 commonwealth regions and also included a dedicated wheelchair racing group supported by experienced coaches. WADA Africa also delivered an anti-doping education session for the first time. The scale and structure of the camp underscored the continued evolution of GAPS into a consistent and pan-Commonwealth pathway for Para sport.
This year, in 2025, the GAPS programme expanded further in its scope. For instance, in May this year, a GAPS camp was held in Vanuatu with 59 participants. This event included Paralympic athletes and coaches. This camp combined technical training with coaching education, medical support and wellness guidance. Paralympic athletes also had the opportunity to compete in the Vanuatu Para Athletics Championships. This provided them with valuable competition experience.
In July, a major GAPS camp was held on the Gold Coast of Australia. Paralympic athletes and coaches from across the Pacific completed a week of high-performance training engagement at Griffith University. The programme included personalised coaching, nutrition and recovery support and mental preparation aimed at preparing athletes for the upcoming qualification and classification events. The week’s engagement concluded with the Australian Para Powerlifting Championships.
The 2nd Gold Coast camp followed 2 months after in September with more than 60 para athletes and coaches from across Oceania. Training was delivered in weightlifting, para powerlifting, athletics, bows and swimming. This camp strengthened regional capability and supported preparation for the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games next year.
Earlier this year, a GAPS Africa Para Sport camp was held at Stellenbosch University. 40 Paralympic athletes and coaches from 14 African nations participated in training across Paralympic Athletics and Para Powerlifting, besides coach development, nutrition education and athlete leadership workshops.
Together, these camps reflect how GAPS has developed, providing opportunities for para athletes and coaches to expand ahead of regional and international competition, including the Glasgow 2023 Commonwealth Games.
Commonwealth Para athletes continue to produce strong performances at major international events, including World Para Athletics and World Para Powerlifting competitions. Their results demonstrate the ongoing progress of Para sport across all regions and the commitment of athletes and coaches to improving preparation and performance.
The Commonwealth Games remain one of the few major multisport events where Para athletes and non-Para athletes compete in a fully integrated program. Every medal awarded at this event carries equal value in terms of national success. This model sets a clear standard for inclusion and reinforces the belief that opportunity and recognition should be shared equally.
The GAPS program was inaugurated nearly a decade ago, in 2016. It was to support Pacific Island athletes preparing for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games. It has since grown into a global network that has supported more than 600 athletes and coaches and continues to expand through collaboration and long-term investment.
