With the Paralympic Games 2024 due to get in underway in Paris next week, some of our graduates are gearing up for glory with Team Ireland and Team GB.
Chloe MacCombe: Triathlon Star
Chloe MacCombe, a 2016 Geography graduate, is set to make her Paralympics debut in the Para Triathlon PTVI alongside guide Catherine Sands. Having taken up Triathlon four years ago, Chloe made her mark by coming 3rd in the World Para Series Montreal, 1st in the World Para Series Swansea, 3rd in the World Para Series Yokohama, and 5th the World Para Championships in Spain. Her sensational performance at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games earned her a silver medal in the women's PTVI. Chloe will be heading to Paris with her twin sister Judith, also a Triathlete. They hope their friendly sibling rivalry will give them that competitive edge to push them towards Paralympic victory.
Judith MacCombe: Sprinting, Swimming, and Soaring to Victory
2016 Geography Graduate Judith MacCombe took up Triathlon four years ago with her twin sister, Chloe. Together they embark on their Paralympics journey, competing against the best in the world in the PTVI category. This is Judith’s first Paralympics and will be competing with guide Eimear Mullan, having previously excelled in the World Para Series Devonport (3rd place), the World Para series Yohohama (4th place), the World Triathlon Cup Samarkand (1st place), the World Triathlon Cup Italy (2ndplace) and the World Triathlon Cup Malaga (3rd place). Alongside her sister, Judith was awarded a bursary by The Mary Peters Trust to help her on way to Paris, the biggest milestone of her sporting career to date.
David Ross: Dominating the Court
A Sport & Exercise Sciences graduate, David Ross is a devoted Ulster fan who grew up playing rugby union. His world changed at age 18, when he experienced a spinal injury playing rugby during the first year of his degree. After being introduced to wheelchair rugby, he quickly became dedicated to the sport. He made his Paralympic debut at the 2022 Tokyo games, competing against the world’s best wheelchair rugby stars and winning Gold with Team GB. Competing again with Team GB in Paris, they hope to accomplish an historic victory by becoming the first European country to win back-to-back Paralympic gold medals.
Sinead Chambers: Fuelling the Fight
Sinead Chambers graduated from Ulster University in 2014 with a BSc in Physiotherapy. A former Commonwealth Games Badminton player for Team NI, she competed in three consecutive Games in 2010, 2014 and 2018. Now an NI Sports Institute Physio, she will be heading to Paris with Team GB. This is her second Paralympics, having supported the GB Badminton team in Tokyo where they took home two medals. This time, she will be working across all athletes in the Olympic Village, supporting physiotherapists for the National Governing Bodies.
Dr Nigel Dobson, Head of Sports Services, commented:
“We are immensely proud of our students, graduates and Honorary Graduates who have reached the pinnacle of their sports by qualifying for the Paralympics in Paris. Their dedication and hard work are a testament to the robust support system and high-performance environment that Ulster University provides to its students.
“On behalf of the entire Ulster University community, I would like to wish them all the best of luck and we look forward to watching them compete and inspire future generations of athletes."
As our alumni take the world sporting stage at the 2024 Paralympics and demonstrate their talent and dedication, their ties to Ulster University will showcase the university's commitment to cultivating excellence.
Watch out for them:
29 August – 10:30
Wheelchair Rugby – GB vs Australia
(David Ross)
30 August – 10:30
Wheelchair Rugby - GB vs Denmark
(David Ross)
31 August - 6.30pm
Wheelchair Rugby - GB vs France
(David Ross)
2 September - 10:10
Para Triathlon - Women's PTVI
(Chloe & Judith MacCombe)
Find out more:
Go to Paris 2024 Paralympics - Latest News, Schedules & Results
You can follow the progress of those competing for Team Ireland at Paralympics.ie and for Team GB at TeamGB.