Gregg Warburton, a key player who has been part of the squad since Rio 2016, expressed his longing for gold in statements to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). "The younger me would be really disappointed I haven’t got the gold medal I’ve been wishing for so far," Warburton admits. "I hope Paris is the Games to change that."

Warburton, who made his Paralympic debut as a teenager, has faced several near misses, including a narrow defeat by the USA in the 2022 World Championship final. Despite these setbacks, his experience as a winner is undeniable. He was named MVP when Great Britain won their second world wheelchair basketball title in Hamburg in 2018 and again featured in the European All-Star team in 2023.

Reflecting on his career, Warburton acknowledges that the disappointments stick with him. "I’m really proud to be competing in my third Paralympic Games, but I hold myself to high standards," he says. "Since I was young, I had a dream to win multiple gold medals at the Paralympics – at least two."

Warburton is classified as a "two-pointer" in wheelchair basketball, a classification that reflects the impact of his impairment on his play. Born with significant disabilities, including amputated feet and an abnormal left arm, he describes how these challenges have never held him back. "I’ve always been a huge fan of sport," he notes. "Wheelchair basketball made me feel free and I’ve never looked back."

His journey with Great Britain includes a bronze at the European Under-22 Championships in 2012 and gold two years later, followed by leading the U23 team to World Championship gold in 2017. Warburton’s debut at the Rio Games was a memorable experience, though he played limited minutes due to his age.

In Tokyo 2020, despite topping their group, GB faced a semi-final defeat against hosts Japan but secured bronze with Warburton’s eight assists contributing to their win over Spain. Looking ahead, Warburton is optimistic about Paris, where Great Britain qualified through last year’s European triumph. "We’ve had a busy summer with two competitions, so I feel like we’ll be prepped and ready when it comes to Paris," he says. "It’s going to be a real spectacle."

The upcoming Paralympics will be a significant event for Warburton, not only due to its location in Europe but also because it will allow him to have more family and friends in attendance. "It will be good to have a Paralympics in Europe; hopefully, I can get more family and friends over," he adds.

Warburton also highlights the rigorous preparation leading up to the Games. The team's training schedule has been intense, involving extensive practice sessions and competitive play to fine-tune their skills and strategies. "We’ve been working hard and pushing ourselves to the limit," he explains. "Our focus is on ensuring that every aspect of our game is sharp."

As for what it will take to secure gold, Warburton believes in the importance of dedication and hard work. "It’s the cold mornings in the gym, when nobody else is watching, that matter," he reflects. "Hopefully, that leads us in the right direction for Paris."

Regardless of the outcome, Warburton values the journey. "Growing up, this is everything I wanted to do," he concludes. "We’re here to win, but enjoying the process is just as important. It’s that mindset which hopefully will see us on the top of the podium."

The Paris Paralympics promises to be a thrilling chapter in Warburton's career, and the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team will be looking to turn their history of near misses into a triumphant success.