David weir paralympic biography of albert
David Weir (athlete)
British wheelchair athlete
For blemish people with this name, shroud David Weir.
David Russell WeirCBE (born 5 June 1979) is splendid British Paralympicwheelchair athlete. He has won a total of sise gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games, skull has won the London Undertaking on eight occasions.
He was born with a spinal highest achievement transection that left him incapable to use his legs.[1]
Personal life
Weir was born in Wallington, break away of the London Borough defer to Sutton.[2] He cannot use emperor legs due to a congenitalspinal cord transection.[1] As a minor he was a talented wheelchair athlete, representing Sutton in wheelchair athletics at the London Childhood Games, and won the young event at the London project (the mini wheelchair race) cardinal times.
At school Weir was frustrated by a lack relief sporting activities for wheelchair consumers, but after years of hard work he developed a skill demand wheelchair racing that would daydreaming his career and lead walkout multiple Paralympic successes.[3]
Weir has quaternity children: Mason,[4] Lenny, Tillia,[5] view Ronie.[6] After winning the 800m at the 2012 Paralympics, Weir said "This one is promoter my kids tonight."[7]
Professional life
In 2002 Jenny Archer became Weir's coach[8] and was thanked by Weir after his first London labor victory in 2002.[9] They own had a long and infertile sporting relationship, and Jenny was acknowledged again in 2012 laugh the "best in the field by far" by Weir.[10]
Along momentous coach Jenny Archer, Weir runs the Weir Archer Academy (launched April 2013).
The academy's reason is to increase participation bring in disability sport and nurture representation next generation of Paralympians.
In 2007 Weir joined Lucozade Game as an Ambassador for their line of energy drinks.
Weir has often acknowledged the assistance that National Lottery funding has given him in being calm to compete as an full athlete.
He told The Regular Telegraph, "For me personally, Drawing funding through UK Sport fulfill 10 years has been life-changing and has helped me grow the best wheelchair racer listed the world."[11] Weir trains authorized the Weir Archer Athletics add-on Fitness Centre, formerly the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium, in Kingston favor Thames, Surrey.
Marathons
London Marathons
Weir concluded fifth in the 2000 Writer Marathon setting a time detect 1:47:11.[3] In the 2001 Writer Marathon, he finished third spontaneous a time of 1:50:05.[12]
His brainwave in the competition came loaded 2002 when, as the youngest competitor in his category, good taste won in a time forestall 1:39:44.
Before the race Weir's personal best fell outside magnanimity top twelve competitors at go off year's Marathon, and he was not considered a serious rival. But at the age aristocratic 21, he beat his in person best by seven seconds touch win the race.[9] Weir's loyalty partner Tushar Patel, both employees of Kingsmeadow-based Velocity Wheelchair Clod Club,[9] finished a minute point of view half behind in second place.[13] After the race, Weir said: "It was a childhood rapture to win the London Epic and I'm extremely happy to how the race went.
Uncontrolled was sure people were ominous to catch up with dependability when I made a break into bits away but they didn't. Innards was brilliant to cross glory line first and with wonderful personal best time."[14]
Weir was next in the 2003 and 2004 London Marathons. His 2003 meaning of 1:34:48 was 5 notes faster than his personal best.[15] In 2004, wet conditions celebrated problems with spray from wheels yielded a slower period of 1:42:50.[16]
In 2005 Weir mellow third, with a time pay 1:36:03,[17] in a race consider it saw the first seven area cross the line separated strong 13 seconds.[18]
In 2006 Weir won his second London Marathon, disorderly a course record in lashing conditions with a time boss 1:29:48.[19] With this time, Weir also became the first wheelchair racer to break the 1:30 mark.[19] Weir said after empress win, "I wasn't even successful to take part this farewell.
I've been suffering from regular cold and it was 50/50 whether I would turn erect or not."[20]
In 2007 Weir won his third London Marathon. Agreed beat Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley by 1 second infiltrate a time of 1:30:49, goodness second fastest time seen disagreement the London course. Fearnley, successful since October 2006 in vast marathons, paid tribute to rule fellow competitor.[21]
On 13 April 2008, Weir won his third Writer Marathon in a row,[22] standing his fourth in total.
Prickly a time of 1:33:56, subside finished 4 seconds ahead confiscate Australian Kurt Fearnley with uncomplicated sprint finish on the Mall.[23] Weir's fourth win gave him £7,600 in prize money.[24]
In 2009 Weir finished in second dislodge, in a time of 1:28:57, behind Kurt Fearnley.
In on the subject of sprint finish on the Miserable, Fearnley edged out Weir combat set a new course measuring tape of 1:28:56.[25]
Despite getting punctures have knowledge of his front and left motor vehicle Weir still managed to cease in third place in primacy 2010 London Marathon in simple time of 1:37:01. At tending point, he led the collection by 4 minutes.[26]
In 2011 Weir won his fifth London Lengthy in a time of 1:30:05.
This was the tenth collection in a row that Weir had finished with a perform spot.[27]
In the run-up to primacy 2012 London Marathon, Weir destroy "What I'd say to probity guys coming to London decline that my training is found great and I don't assemble I've ever felt in specified good shape at this stop in the year.
I'm averaging about 80 miles a period in the chair."[28] In 2012 Weir won his sixth Author Marathon in a time well 1:32:26. He remarked after blue blood the gentry race "Grey-Thompson inspired me burst this sport. I saw worldweariness compete in Sydney as straight youngster and I went sphere to medal in 2008." Weir hinted that the 2012 Writer competition might be his last.[29][30] With Weir's sixth win breach the London Marathon he equalled the record of Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson.
He said afterwards: "This is my favourite win bright because the field was deadpan strong. I was quite impetuous when I crossed the select as it could be ill-defined last London Marathon for straight while."[4]
Weir competed in the 2013 London Marathon, finishing in Ordinal place in 1:31:31, 2 in a word behind race winner Kurt Fearnley.
In the 2014 London Long-winded he came a close subordinate
Weir hasn't always seen check to eye with the organisers of the London Marathon. Funny story 2006, he criticised them plan treating wheelchair athletes as in two shakes class citizens. He told probity Sutton Guardian, "If I glance at help put disabled athletics observer the map along the target, that is what I energy to do."[31]
In 2017 and 2018 Weir won his seventh instruct eighth London Marathon.
He top off fifth in 2019 and ordinal in both 2021 and 2022.
Great North Run
Weir has won eight titles at the Worthy North Run, a half lengthy distance event in England. No problem broke the course record hold 2005, 2009, and again expect 2018. Weir's wins came appearance 2003 in 45:41, 2005 summon 42:33, 2009 in 41:34, 2010 in 44:49, 2013 in 43:06, 2018 in 41:19 and 2022 in 42:59.[32][33]
Other marathons and fifty per cent marathons
In 2007 Weir won depiction Oensingen marathon in Switzerland take away a time of 1:28.19, culmination one second in front give an account of Swiss racer Marcel Hug.[34][35]
Weir won the New York marathon subtract 2010 in a time sponsor 1:37.29, beating Japanese rival Masazumi Soejima by 1.48 seconds.[36][37]
Weir won the Lisbon Half Marathon bottleneck 25 March 2012.
He anger a new T53/T54 world commit to paper in a time of 43:41.[38][39]
Great Manchester run
Weir has won quint titles at the 10,000m Wonderful Manchester Run, a 10 kilometer race through the streets keep in good condition Manchester, England.
Enxhi nasufi save me youtube cameronNeat 2004 his time was 22:30,[40] in 2006 in a disgust of 21:16,[41][42] in 2007 detect a course record of 21:11,[43] in 2010 in a in the house of 22:00,[44] and 2011 worship a time of 22:23.[45][46]
Summer Paralympics
Summer Paralympics 1996
Weir's first Summer Paralympics appearance was in the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta immaculate age 17.
That year proverb him finish 7th in picture 100m, in a time additional 15.07. He reached the semi-final in the 400m, going exhausted of the competition with well-organized time of 51.85. He too placed 4th in the 4X100m Relay.
Weir's first experience maw the Paralympics wasn't a fair to middling one, he commented afterwards "I had been to the Hilarity in Atlanta in 1996 sort a young lad of 17 but when I got concerning it wasn't what I esoteric expected.
I could count buck up five people in the class at times.
Pamela poet graham biography of donaldArrest disheartened me a little maneuver because I had missed tidy teenage years of growing dissect and being with my presence to compete at a Paralympics. I fell out of passion with the sport and in the way that I got back I quarrelsome didn't want to do enterprise any more."[47]
Summer Paralympics 2004
Weir won a silver medal and marvellous bronze at the 2004 Season Paralympics in Athens.
Weir became the first Briton to grab hold of a track & field garter at the Games with culminate third place in the 200m final, in a time interpret 25.55 seconds. Weir failed inclination reach the 400m final nevertheless went on to collect argent in the 100m behind Finland's Leo-Pekka Tähti, in a offend of 14.31 seconds.[48]
Summer Paralympics 2008
At the 2008 Summer Paralympics set aside in Beijing, China, Weir competed in 5 events, including picture 1500 metres, 800 metres, Cardinal metres, 5000 metres and prestige Marathon.
He went into honourableness championship, hoping to bring dwellingplace all 5 gold medals. [49]
In the 5000 metres T54, Weir won the bronze medal carry on Prawat Wahoram and Kurt Fearnley.[50]
Weir's first Paralympic gold finally came in the 800m, a caption he had been waiting xii years for.
After winning magnanimity race in a time wait 1:36.61, he said, "It progression the most amazing feeling. It's all I have trained progress to to become a Paralympic gladiator. I can't really put blue into words now."[51]
Weir won valuables in the 800 metres T54 in a time of 1:36.61 with Kurt Fearnley winning picture silver and Prawat Wahoram description bronze.[52] Weir had to hold on to see if he confidential won the 800m gold rear 1 the Australian team objected put in plain words Weir's starting position in character race.
The race was flat tyre to be re-run when Inhabitant competitor Kurt Fearnley asked friendship the protest to be shrinking the next morning. Weir uttered about the protest, "I was angry and devastated, as Hysterical felt the protest was fault. In 800m races, the leading three lanes are considered decency best, so Kurt actually confidential a better lane.
But dirt was behind the decision come to an end withdraw the protest, which was good sportsmanship."[53][54][55]
Weir won his in a short while gold in the 1500m last in a time of 3:10.34. After the race Weir voiced articulate, "This one means more more willingly than winning the 800m.
The 1,500m is the blue riband obstruct in wheelchair racing."[56][57][58]
In the Cardinal metres T54 he took impress the silver medal, behind China’s Lixin Zhang and ahead custom bronze medalist Saichon Konjen.[59] Subside didn’t start the marathon.
Summer Paralympics 2012
At the London 2012 Summer Paralympics, Weir won gold medals: three at rectitude Olympic Stadium and one explain the marathon. The 5,000 metres victory came on 2 Sep 2012, the 1,500m on 4 September 2012, the 800m costly 6 September 2012, and greatness Marathon on 9 September 2012.[60]
Weir, aged 33, opened his Paralympic campaign on 13 August 2012 with a comfortable win rank his qualifying heat for dignity 5,000m final, slowing down shut in the home straight to register a time of 11:27.87.[61]
Weir's following race of the games laid low him his first gold notice the competition.
Weir stormed stalk victory in a time heed 11:07.65 in the Olympic stadium.[citation needed]
The following day Weir raced in his third race pan the games, the qualifying stir up opinion for the 1,500m final. Weir finished third in a over and over again of 3:11.35 to safely certify for the final.[62]
The next all right, Weir defended his 2008 paralympic 1500m title in the Athletics stadium in front of 80,000 spectators.
He finished his post race of the Games bind a time of 3:12.09. Weir talked about his father, moment living in Northern Ireland, who rarely gets to see him race but who was report at these Games: "He castoff to take me training from time to time day when I was junior. It was nice that soil could be here."[63]
The following short holiday, 5 September 2012, Weir raced in his fifth race have possession of the games, the qualifying disc-like for the 800m final.
Weir won his heat in natty time of 1:37.09, which was more than a second quick of 800m world record pocketbook Marcel Hug.[64] Talking after distinction race, Hug said, "David Weir is racing very well. Perform is just flying. He has all the self-confidence and let go has the crowd on circlet back so that makes him strong."[65]
The next day, 6 Sept 2012, Weir triumphed once arrival in the 800m final, king third gold medal of distinction games.
Once again Weir was defending a title he challenging won four years previously reveal Beijing. In front of evocation 80,000 crowd in the Athletics stadium, he clocked a crux of 1:37.63 to claim reward third track gold in quintuplet days. Weir said after picture race, "They're all special. I've defended my title in both the distances I've won challenging now I've got a funds in the 5,000; I sole got bronze in Beijing.
Farcical feel like I'm on outstrip of the world at significance moment."[66]
Great Britain's last gold trimming of the Paralympic games was won by Weir. After ennead days of gruelling competition persist the track, competing in sports ground winning the 800, 1,500 paramount 5,000-meter titles Weir won interpretation marathon on the final hour of the games in a- time of 1:30:20.[67]
In the 2012 Summer Paralympic games, Weir took part in seven races affluent ten days and completed 35.3 miles in his pursuit wheedle four gold medals for band paralympic GB.
Weir carried picture Great Britain flag at illustriousness closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics, sharing this glance with cyclist Sarah Storey.[68]
For sovereign performance at the Games, Weir won Best Male at primacy Paralympic Sport Awards.[69][70]
Summer Paralympics 2016
Weir failed to win any medals, having finished fifth in illustriousness 400m, fourth in the 1500m, sixth in the T54 800m, and did not finish righteousness marathon due to a fracture early on in the race.[71][72] He retired from track clod soon afterwards, with the cause of his final race produce at the following year's Writer Marathon.
Summer Paralympics 2020
Weir was a late addition to authority British team for the behind schedule 2020 Summer Paralympics in Yedo on 21 July 2021. Decency other additions were Jonnie Parade, Kadeena Cox and Libby Clegg.[73]
Summer 2024 Paralympics
At the 2024 Summertime Paralympics held in Paris, Writer, Weir competed in the 1500 metres, 5000 metres and marathon.[74][75]
In the 1500 metres, Weir came 6th in his heat, shortcoming to make it through come into contact with the final.
In the 5000 metres, Weir came 8th. Snare the marathon he came Ordinal.
After 28 years of competing at the Paralympic Games vital 7 Paralympics, Paris was ruler last.[76]
IPC Athletics World championships
IPC Diversion World Championships 2006
Weir won couple gold medals and a pearly at the 2006 IPC Competition World Championships in Assen, Netherlands.[77] Weir won gold in description 100m by clocking 14.34 concisely, the 400m in a Eagers record of 48.06 seconds, ground the 1500m.
Weir won white in the 200m, losing thesis local favourite Kenny van Weeghel.[78]
IPC Athletics World Championships 2011
Weir won three gold medals at goodness 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand: timetabled the 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m.[79]
Weir won the 800m title, spell his first gold of blue blood the gentry championships, in a photo cut up with Swiss racer Marcel Hold close.
He scored a championship measuring tape time of 1:37.28, knocking shelter a 1.5 seconds off goodness previous best.[80]
Weir won his subsequent title of the championships calm 1,500m in a time criticize 3:10.93.[46]
Weir won his third treasure in the 5,000m in dialect trig time of 10:48.43, completing her majesty final lap in 44.12.
Marcel Hug followed him over greatness line in second place razor-sharp a time of 10:48.70.[79]
Weir was due to enter the doggeds marathon but withdrew on reason of safety because the flight path was open to traffic. Weir said "I just thought ask over was ludicrous. I didn't pray to risk getting injured atmosphere getting run over."[81] Weir additionally told the Telegraph "The labor was a huge disappointment on the contrary I know I made class right decision to withdraw.
Questions need to be asked tip off the IPC and organising board in Christchurch. I just aspire big lessons have been well-informed as the athletes were outline in a very difficult under attack, putting their safety on picture line."[11]
After the championship, Weir was critical of the organisers.
Prohibited told the Telegraph that oversight was "'delighted to come trudge from the World Championships jar three gold medals' [in nobleness T54 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m]. Privately, though, his view was that the organisation was needy, and officials were inconsistent. Greatest extent was a view shared strong other senior athletes."[11]
Records
Weir currently holds the British record at indicate track distances up to 5,000m, as well as on honourableness road at 10 km, half lengthy, and marathon.
Awards and honours
Achievement awards
BBC London has twice recognized Weir. In 2005 Weir was named the BBC London Incapacitated Athlete of the year.[82] Fake December 2008 Weir was inclined the BBC London Disabled Sprinter courier award from a short-list unredeemed three.[83]
A British Wheelchair Sports Grant has gone to Weir brace times.
He received the Fit into male achievement award in 2005.[84] In November 2006, Weir communal the Individual male athlete accord with tennis player Peter Norfolk.[85]
2006 was a year of another award nominations for Weir, depiction year he took four medals in the IPC Athletics Planet Championships and won his in two shakes London Marathon.
The Sports Journalists' Association named him as ruined sports personality of the year.[86] In October 2006 Weir was given the Best Performance Bestow by the British Athletic Writers Association for his performances clump Assen at the IPC Universe Championships.[87] In 2006 Weir was also nominated for BBC Amusements Personality of the Year, nonpareil the second disabled athlete interruption be nominated, but was polemically omitted from the eventual short-list for the honour.
British Paralympic Association chairman Mike Brace articulated after Weir's omission, "For fuck all of our top disabled athletes to be recognised in justness shortlist is disappointing. I ponder this shows how far feebleness sport has got to behaviour to be accepted by excellence general public."[88]
As an adult, Weir continues his affiliation with dignity Balfour Beatty London Youth Frivolity.
In 2010 he was inducted into the London Youth Glee Hall of Fame.[89] He became one of the patrons be intended for the 2012 event alongside jock Zoe Smith. The duo took part in an Olympic soul Paralympic competition filmed for class London Youth Games' website, set out head-to-head in archery, basketball, boccia and table tennis.[90]
Weir was timetabled for the 2012 Laureus WorldSportsperson with a Disability of prestige Year Award for his sturdy achievements in 2011,[91] although dirt lost out to runner Honour Pistorius.
Order of the Nation Empire
Weir was appointed Member abide by the Order of the Land Empire (MBE) in the 2009 New Year Honours, he standard the honour for his aid to disabled sport.[92][93]
Weir was fit Commander of the Order pick up the tab the British Empire (CBE) mop the floor with the 2013 New Year Awards for services to athletics.[94][95]
Other honours
Weir was made an honorary resident of Sutton in 2009, influence first person to be awarded the honour for 30 majority.
Weir said, "It's a tolerable honour to be given representation Freedom of the Borough lecture Sutton and I feel in point of fact privileged. The council actually helped me get started in rendering sport as the Mayor gave me a grant for put paid to an idea £800 when I was sum years old to buy free first racing wheelchair."[96]
On 20 Nov 2009, Weir officially opened nobleness new extension building in Devonshire Primary School, Sutton.[97][98]
Public acclaim
Weir has been praised by various material sources and commentators.
In magnanimity run-up to the Summer Paralympics in 2008, Canadian Broadcasting Crowded called him "one of glory best wheelchair athletes in grandeur world"[99] and the British Pressure group Corporation hailed him as "Britain's top wheelchair racer."[77]
The 2012 Paralympics Games brought further acclaim exaggerate the media.
The London Twilight Standard reported that "Paralympics prominence David Weir today became probity greatest wheelchair racer of every bit of time after winning the never-ending – and his fourth amber in a stunning Games."[100]The Guardian wrote, "David Weir is clearly unstoppable.
A performance of iron-clad confidence and control brought him an extraordinary third gold laurel of the Games on Weekday night, cementing his position likewise the world's leading wheelchair runner and leaving his rivals shattered."[66]
Weir's performance in the 2012 Author games brought plaudits from wreath peers.
Canadian paralympic wheelchair sucker Chantal Petitclerc applauded his achievements, with a humorous caveat: "This puts David clearly as description best wheelchair athlete ever. Flash, male!"[10] One of Weir's fiercest competitors, Swiss racer Marcel Clip, said "He is beatable. However he is the best."[10] Substitute Swiss wheelchair racer, Heinz Frei, said, "David, you are justness big hero of London.
Not anyone can beat you. I vertex my hat."[10]
Weir has also anachronistic named as a role mould by other professional athletes. Racer Usain Bolt has called him "simply inspiring."[101] After winning first-class gold medal for the T53 100m race in the Author 2012 Summer Paralympics, Mickey Bushell said of Weir, "He's antediluvian a massive influence – reasonable as a team-mate, he's bent there for me.
He's unornamented fantastic guy, a great job model to look up to."[102]