Margaret Werrett - International Starter for the Paralympic Games

Posted: 29/09/2021

Our very own Margaret Werrett, retired Head of Chemistry headed off to Tokyo to be an international starter at the Paralympic Games. During an interview with Margaret, we discovered an inside scoop to the event.

As an international starter of such high profile races, Margaret stated how she was amongst athletes such as Sophie Hahn and Johnny Peacock, firing the starting gun for multiple races. Due to covid-19, there was a slightly different version of the usual atmosphere. However, the teams and managers created a new version of an atmosphere, where some athletes said they performed better with less pressure from a crowd.

Margaret had many fond memories of her time in Tokyo, especially working with a phenomenal team of tech officials, pulling together in difficult circumstances alongside the athletes performing to the best of their abilities and breaking world records.

When asked if she felt any pressure during her time as an international starter, Margaret noted two moments; in the Johnny Peacock race, and the final race she started. Margaret reflected on how she has had the opportunity to start 2 finals in her career being an International Starter for the Paralympics; London 2012 Paralympic Games and the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, where there Italy achieved a clean sweep for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Margaret noted that it was incredible to see 19 year old Ambra Sabatini, from Italy, smash the 100m T63 world record.

The technological advancement of Japan is something to be admired, however, when greeted by a robotic talking dustbin, operated by someone far away, it was a shock to the system for Margaret. The robot was playing music and dancing along with Margaret and her friend, definitely something we aren’t used to in the UK, so it was an interesting experience to take away.

Unfortunately, due to COVID restrictions, between bubbles, PCR tests, and the importance of keeping the team and the athletes safe, there was no real chance to explore Japan. The hotel itself was built specifically for the event, and was opposite the stadium, so there wasn’t far to travel. The hotel-stadium-hotel pattern was something that Margaret had to adapt to.

The weather and climate was something of extremity, with high humidity one day and dramatic downpours of rain, where you could tip the water out of your shoe! This made some circumstances difficult, yet the athletes still powered through, breaking multiple world records. In one particular race, the women’s ambulant marathon, a 66 year old Japanese women race, which was amazing to see. Also in this race, Japan’s 44 year old visually impaired Misato Michishita took the win. This was the last medal presented, which Margaret described as ‘really cool’ to witness.

The Paralympic Games is a particularly incredible event, seeing athletes break world records time and time again, despite all odds. An experience of a lifetime, in which she looks back on as very enjoyable. Margaret said if she was given the chance to be invited back, she would most definitely do it all again.