Queen's Baton Relay 2022 in Portsmouth: Sailor Geoff Holt to bring baton to the city

Athlete and fundraiser Geoff Holt MBE says that being asked to be a batonbearer is ‘a real honour’ he ‘wasn’t expecting’.

By Emily Jessica Turner

Published 1st Jul 2022, 04:55 BST

In 1984, then 18-year-old Geoff broke his neck at the age, leaving him paralysed.

Geoff has represented GB at international disabled sailing and in 2007 became the first disabled person to sail single-handed around GB.

In 2009 he sailed single-handed across the Atlantic ocean in his wheelchair, and later founded Wetwheels Foundation, providing opportunities for disabled people to access the ocean.

As well as his MBE, Geoff was also made deputy lieutenant of Hampshire and had the honour of carrying the Olympic torch in 2012.

Geoff said: ‘Obviously it’s a great honour to be chosen, and particularly in my own city of Portsmouth.

‘I’m a disabled athlete so I understand the amount of effort that goes into competing in these elite games.

‘It’s a real honour I wasn’t expecting.

‘I’ve got the best leg: I’ll be coming round by hovercraft, bringing the torch to the city from Southampton.’