It was all set. Tanni Grey-Thompson, better known since 2010 as Baroness Grey-Thompson of Eaglescliffe in Stockton-On-Tees, was going to carry the Physical Disability Rugby League World Cup trophy onto the field before the opening game, New Zealand v Wales in Warrington. The world’s most famous disabled athlete, marking the start of one of the most important disabled sports events. What could possibly go wrong? As it happens, everything.
Attending a pre-tournament dinner in Newcastle, her wheelchair clipped a kerb and out she tumbled. Result: two black eyes, a broken nose, “a lot of scarring on my face”, a giant lump protruding from her skull, blood everywhere, possible concussion and a broken thumb.
“I just didn’t see the kerb. A bunch of drunk students came
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