29 Oct 2019
Diaper lands key role for Tokyo 2020
Nik Diaper, Loughborough University’s Head of Para Sport, will join The British Paralympic Association (BPA) on secondment for Tokyo 2020.
Appointed as its Deputy Chef de Mission, Nik will form part of ParalympicsGB’s day-to-day leadership team, with a specific emphasis on ensuring effective delivery of performance support through the duration of the Games.
Before joining Loughborough, Nik was Head of Performance at the BPA and Tokyo will be the seventh Paralympic Games that he has worked at. He also held the same position at the 2018 Winter Paralympic Games in PyeongChang, South Korea.
On his appointment, Nik said:
“I am thrilled to be appointed as ParalympicsGB Deputy Chef de Mission for Tokyo 2020. It is a privilege and an honour to be part of the ParalympicsGB team in what is the pinnacle of Para sport. We know the Tokyo environment will be challenging and we expect this to be the most competitive Games ever, but I am confident that ParalympicsGB will also be the best-prepared team.
“I’m also looking forward to using this experience to further shape and enhance the Para sport offer at Loughborough as we continue to develop this area in earnest.”
Nik joined the University in early 2019 in a role that is the first of its kind within higher education. He was also previously Head of Sport Science and Medicine for Paralympic sport at the English Institute of Sport.
John Steele, Executive Director of Sport, Loughborough University, said:
“This is a fantastic opportunity for Nik to help shape GB’s Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Nik has made a great impression here at Loughborough and we’re sure he’ll be an asset to the team, keeping ParalympicsGB ahead of rival nations. We wish him all the very best for the Games.”
Penny Briscoe, British Paralympic Association Director of Sport, added:
“I am delighted to be working with Nik again who will be joining a team experienced colleagues as we head towards Tokyo. We have worked together, in various roles, at past Games and I am confident this will be a very strong Chef’s team.
“We are all fully focussed on delivering the best possible Games-time environment for the athletes who will represent ParalympicsGB in Tokyo to enable them to deliver those personal bests and medal-winning performances they, and their support teams, are working tirelessly for. Tokyo 2020 promises to be the most fiercely competitive Games yet and we will explore every possible avenue to ensure we stay ahead of our rival nations.”
The Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games will take place from 25th August to 6th September 2020 and will feature 22 sports.