Para-sport has taken 'massive steps back' - Hannah Cockroft

British wheelchair racer Hannah Cockroft said the profile of Para-sport has taken "massive steps back" since the London 2012 Paralympics.

The seven-time Paralympic champion is the latest guest on the BBC's The Total Sport Podcast hosted by ex-Leeds Rhinos star Rob Burrow and his wife Lindsey.

Cockroft talked about classifications in disability sports, saying it labels athletes based on their limitations.

She also revealed she plans to get married next year.

Responding to a question from Burrow about whether there was enough focus on disability sport, she said: "We moved forward very quickly at London 2012.

"The amount of money in Para-sport then gave me a very unrealistic idea of what was on offer. It's taken massive steps back since then."

She added: "A massive part of it is we don't get the TV coverage."

On the subject of classification in disability sports, she said she was in the T34 category which is for athletes with cerebral palsy or brain damage.

"We are classed as one of the low-end athletes," she said.

"I just don't agree with it. I get that you need to compete like for like, but it's like saying you'll never be quite as good as the higher classes.

"My challenge at the moment is to show I can do just as well as they can."

Cockroft also talked about her childhood memories, including her father taping her feet to the pedals of a bike because she wanted to try and cycle.

That "didn't end well", she said, but they always tried to "find a way".

Asked what advice she would give to her younger self, she added: "Growing up with a disability is scary, [but] just say yes to everything and see where it takes you."

As well as getting married, the Halifax-born racer hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games in Paris next year.

Called Seven: Rob Burrow, the podcast sees the former Leeds Rhinos rugby league star interviewing seven sporting greats and asking seven questions. In each episode, Burrow communicates via a computerised voice he banked before he lost the ability to speak.

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