Cometh the Champ
You are here:
Richard Whitehead - cometh the champ
|
||
| In preparation: Richard Whitehead prepares to compete at the Visa London Disability Athletics Challenge LOCOG test event for the London 2012 Paralympic Games at the Olympic Stadium, London, UK, 2012. | ||
BP is supporting six British athletes, and many other international sportsmen and women, as they prepare for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. 'Cometh the hour, cometh the man' is tattooed on the arm of 35-year-old Paralympian and 'blade-runner' Richard Whitehead, whose time will come again this summer when the marathon world record holder tackles very different events - the 100, 200 and 4x100-metre relay. |
||
This elite athlete, who was born without legs from above the knee - known as a congenital double amputee - talks to BP Magazine about conquering a new event, challenging perceptions and changing the rule book.
On running the 2004 New York marathon with no experience…
"Some people thought I was crazy. My parents were apprehensive. I didn’t know how I was even going to get there. But in the late 1980s, I had been inspired by Canadian Terry Fox. He lost a leg to cancer and while lots of people in hospital were being negative, he showed that by being positive, you can be successful. He attempted to run across Canada and set out to run 26 miles every day. Unfortunately, he died before he reached the end of his journey. He sowed that seed in my head – that one day I would accept one of those challenges that seem up there in the clouds."Richard struggled with the training before he had running prosthetics as he ran on his knees using special running cups. "I was running late at night because of public perceptions. But I still decided this was going to change my life and have an impact on people who see me run. I wanted to show everyone that you can be successful and take achievable steps to reach that goal in the sky."
In 2004, Richard completed the marathon in five hours 30 minutes. Since then, Richard has run 25 marathons and in 2009, became the firstever double-leg amputee to complete the marathon in under three hours.
On running technology…
"The best kit I would recommend for any runner is a GPS watch. It has helped me and is something I recommend to everyone. It’s self-evaluating and tells me if I’m on course for my goals. Everyone asks if the prosthetics give you an advantage. There’s no advantage – they are not springy. They’re made of carbon fibre. It’s a resin used for aeroplane wings – there’s no rocket boosters or anything like that. They replicate the hamstring that’s in the leg. The forces that you get from your legs. The action of the flexes replicates the hamstring."On changing events…
Richard wanted to compete in the London 2012 Games but there is no marathon event for double-leg amputees and the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) ruled he could not run against arm amputees. So, he is now preparing to compete in the 100, 200 and 4x100 metres events in the T42 classification, but the marathon is where his heart lies. “For me, it is an inclusive race with runners of all abilities and ages competing side by side.“There’s a bit of a difference between 26.2 miles and 200 metres, as you can appreciate. I sat down with my coach, Liz Yelling, who said: ‘Richard, if you think you can do that, let’s go for it.’ I like people around me who don’t put up barriers straight away.
On being a BP London 2012 athlete ambassador…
"BP supports my journey and it is important to have that relationship and platform to take and engage with the public. I was very keen to get involved with the company from the start and proud to represent it. In London 2012, hopefully I can share that success.""After I was told I would not be able to compete in the London 2012 marathon, I qualified for the New Zealand IPC World Championships where, in 2011, I went with no real experience."
Despite this, Richard won a gold medal and championship record and went on to break the 200-metre and 400-metre world records.
But he hasn’t forgotten the marathon. “I want to go to the Paralympic Games and I want to support the next generation of athletes. I can’t compete in the marathon, but hopefully, with my performance in 2012, I can change that ruling. I’m not going to sit back and take no for an answer.” In the meantime: “I plan to smash the 200 metres.”
On ability…
"People with an impairment don’t come with baggage, they come with experience. I am a disabled athlete, but I see myself as a person who wants to perform at the highest level possible, overcoming barriers in whatever I do.""My parents were pushy and got me involved in gymnastics at a young age. Gymnastics encompasses all the main skills involved in sport – balance, agility and coordination. They thought sport was important and introduced me to different environments – not just disabled specific gymnastics. I have had challenges to overcome and, even though I have had great support, I realised quickly the only person who was going to get me through those challenges was me."
 back to top
|
|
© 1996-2013 BP p.l.c.
|
