Take a look at the Armed Forces' most successful Paralympians over the years
Sport plays an important role in the recovery of injured and sick servicemen and women, and for many it also provides a sense of camaraderie that they miss when their careers in the Armed Forces come to an end.
Some veterans go on to become world-class elite athletes across multiple sports, representing their countries at the highest level, including at the pinnacle of para-sport, the Paralympic Games.
Two of the military's most successful Paralympians, gold medallists Jaco van Gass and Stu Robinson, are still active today and are primed for glory once again at this year's games in Paris.
Here's a look at some of the biggest names in British para-sport who served in the Armed Forces and went on to be successful at the Paralympic Games.
Jo Butterfield
A former Army civil servant, Jo Butterfield discovered she had a tumour on her spinal cord and following surgery was left paralysed from the waist down.
Butterfield overcame her injury through sport and was selected to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro where she went on to win gold in the F51 club throw event.
Her success in Rio saw her continue on to compete at the postponed Paralympics games in Tokyo in 2021.
In August 2022, she switched sports to wheelchair curling where she represented Scotland at the world championships in 2023, winning a bronze medal in the mixed team event.
Despite a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023, Butterfield is determined to compete in wheelchair curling at the 2026 Winter Paralympic Games in Milan.
Jon-Allan Butterworth
Jon-Allan Butterworth joined the Royal Air Force in 2002 and served in Iraq and Afghanistan as a weapons technician.
In 2007, while serving in Iraq, Butterworth was injured in a rocket attack on Basra airbase, sustaining injuries which led to the above-the-elbow amputation of his left arm.
After completing rehabilitation, he joined the British para-cycling team in 2009 and became a world champion in 2011.
After winning three silver medals in London 2012, Butterworth went on to win gold in the mixed team sprint in Rio 2016 alongside Jody Cundy and Louis Rolfe.
He was appointed an MBE in the 2017 New Year Honours for services to cycling.
Nick Beighton
Nick Beighton, a former captain in the Royal Engineers, was injured in 2009 after stepping on an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan, which resulted in him losing both of his legs.
After undergoing 25 operations in his recovery, Beighton was accepted onto the British Rowing programme, and just three years after being injured he qualified for the London 2012 Paralympics.
Competing in the TA mixed double sculls alongside Sam Scowen, the pair found themselves on the losing end of a photo finish for the bronze medal.
After 2012, Beighton became a member of the British paracanoe squad and competed in the sport's debut at the 2016 Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, where he won bronze in the men's KL2 canoe sprint.
Micky Yule
Micky Yule served with the Royal Engineers in Afghanistan where in 2010, while on patrol in Helmand Province, he stepped on an IED resulting in the loss of both of his legs.
With his military career coming to an abrupt end, Yule took to powerlifting to help him overcome his injuries and the loss of his career, winning gold medals at the European championships as well as at the Invictus Games.
He was selected to represent his country at the 2016 Paralympic Games, where he finished in sixth place.
However, it was in Tokyo 2020 where he achieved his greatest result, winning Paralympic bronze with a best of 182kg.
Dave Henson
Dave Henson served with the Royal Engineers in a bomb disposal unit in Afghanistan where, on 13 February 2011 while clearing two compounds in Helmand Province, he stood on a hidden IED.
Following life-saving operations, Henson had his right leg amputated above the knee and his left leg amputated through the knee.
Following rehabilitation, Henson took up sport and was selected to captain the British team at the inaugural Invictus Games in 2012, where he entered sitting volleyball and athletics.
After success at world and European level, Henson was selected to compete at the 2016 Paralympic Games, entering in both 100m and 200m sprints in the T42 events.
He went on to win a bronze medal in the men's T42 200m.
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