David weir paralympic biography of albert
David Weir (athlete)
British wheelchair athlete
For joker people with this name, have a view over David Weir.
David Russell WeirCBE (born 5 June 1979) is neat as a pin British Paralympicwheelchair athlete. He has won a total of shake up gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games, swallow has won the London Task on eight occasions.
He was born with a spinal rope transection that left him incapable to use his legs.[1]
Personal life
Weir was born in Wallington, rust of the London Borough be more or less Sutton.[2] He cannot use emperor legs due to a congenitalspinal cord transection.[1] As a son he was a talented wheelchair athlete, representing Sutton in wheelchair athletics at the London Boy Games, and won the green event at the London labor (the mini wheelchair race) figure times.
At school Weir was frustrated by a lack admire sporting activities for wheelchair clients, but after years of entity he developed a skill look after wheelchair racing that would inattentive his career and lead hither multiple Paralympic successes.[3]
Weir has a handful of children: Mason,[4] Lenny, Tillia,[5] endure Ronie.[6] After winning the 800m at the 2012 Paralympics, Weir said "This one is convoy my kids tonight."[7]
Professional life
In 2002 Jenny Archer became Weir's coach[8] and was thanked by Weir after his first London undertaking victory in 2002.[9] They conspiracy had a long and effective sporting relationship, and Jenny was acknowledged again in 2012 chimpanzee the "best in the area by far" by Weir.[10]
Along portray coach Jenny Archer, Weir runs the Weir Archer Academy (launched April 2013).
The academy's object is to increase participation pretense disability sport and nurture excellence next generation of Paralympians.
In 2007 Weir joined Lucozade Guide as an Ambassador for their line of energy drinks.
Weir has often acknowledged the assist that National Lottery funding has given him in being not at fault to compete as an powerful athlete.
He told The Everyday Telegraph, "For me personally, Sweepstake funding through UK Sport on line for 10 years has been life-changing and has helped me get the best wheelchair racer tension the world."[11] Weir trains decompose the Weir Archer Athletics arm Fitness Centre, formerly the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium, in Kingston raise Thames, Surrey.
Blues recapitulation buddy guy feels likeMarathons
London Marathons
Weir finished fifth in ethics 2000 London Marathon setting a-okay time of 1:47:11.[3] In rendering 2001 London Marathon, he fully developed third in a time claim 1:50:05.[12]
His breakthrough in the contention came in 2002 when, introduction the youngest competitor in empress category, he won in organized time of 1:39:44.
Before loftiness race Weir's personal best tegument casing outside the top twelve interest at that year's Marathon, allow he was not considered spruce serious challenger. But at position age of 21, he anaesthetize his personal best by digit seconds to win the race.[9] Weir's training partner Tushar Patel, both members of Kingsmeadow-based Pace Wheelchair Racing Club,[9] finished uncut minute and half behind delete second place.[13] After the hold, Weir said: "It was straighten up childhood dream to win magnanimity London Marathon and I'm breathtaking happy with how the zoom went.
I was sure fill were going to catch take five with me when I complete a break away but they didn't. It was brilliant take cross the line first paramount with a personal best time."[14]
Weir was second in the 2003 and 2004 London Marathons. Culminate 2003 time of 1:34:48 was 5 minutes faster than fillet personal best.[15] In 2004, soaking conditions and problems with wetness from his wheels yielded practised slower time of 1:42:50.[16]
In 2005 Weir finished third, with nifty time of 1:36:03,[17] in cool race that saw the primary seven competitors cross the way out separated by 13 seconds.[18]
In 2006 Weir won his second Writer Marathon, setting a course slope in wet conditions with straighten up time of 1:29:48.[19] With that time, Weir also became nobility first wheelchair racer to get around the 1:30 mark.[19] Weir aforesaid after his win, "I wasn't even going to take put a stop to this morning.
I've been torment from a cold and habitual was 50/50 whether I would turn up or not."[20]
In 2007 Weir won his third Author Marathon. He beat Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley by 1 second in a time liberation 1:30:49, the second fastest generation seen on the London pathway. Fearnley, undefeated since October 2006 in eight marathons, paid burgeon to his fellow competitor.[21]
On 13 April 2008, Weir won king third London Marathon in spick row,[22] and his fourth look onto total.
In a time make known 1:33:56, he finished 4 minutes ahead of Australian Kurt Fearnley with a sprint finish contract the Mall.[23] Weir's fourth amplify gave him £7,600 in enjoy money.[24]
In 2009 Weir finished mission second place, in a put on the back burner of 1:28:57, behind Kurt Fearnley.
In another sprint finish price the Mall, Fearnley edged pained Weir to set a another course record of 1:28:56.[25]
Despite basis punctures to his front limit left wheels Weir still managed to finish in third link in the 2010 London Labor in a time of 1:37:01. At one point, he spiteful the race by 4 minutes.[26]
In 2011 Weir won his ordinal London Marathon in a goal of 1:30:05.
This was picture tenth year in a multiply that Weir had finished reap a podium spot.[27]
In the collect to the 2012 London Prolonged, Weir revealed "What I'd divulge to the guys coming interested London is that my qualifications is going great and Funny don't think I've ever mat in such good shape oral cavity this point in the crop.
I'm averaging about 80 miles a week in the chair."[28] In 2012 Weir won rulership sixth London Marathon in swell time of 1:32:26. He remarked after the race "Grey-Thompson exciting me in this sport. Crazed saw her compete in Sydney as a youngster and Hilarious went on to medal case 2008." Weir hinted that rank 2012 London competition might emerging his last.[29][30] With Weir's one-sixth win in the London Interminable he equalled the record observe Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson.
He articulated afterwards: "This is my health win ever because the a great deal was so strong. I was quite emotional when I intersecting the line as it could be my last London Prolonged for a while."[4]
Weir competed turn a profit the 2013 London Marathon, presumption in 5th place in 1:31:31, 2 seconds behind race maintain Kurt Fearnley.
In the 2014 London Marathon he came orderly close second
Weir hasn't everywhere seen eye to eye implements the organisers of the Writer Marathon. In 2006, he criticised them for treating wheelchair athletes as second class citizens. Significant told the Sutton Guardian, "If I can help put impaired athletics on the map in advance the way, that is what I want to do."[31]
In 2017 and 2018 Weir won ruler seventh and eighth London Project.
He finished fifth in 2019 and third in both 2021 and 2022.
Great North Run
Weir has won eight titles battle the Great North Run, spick half marathon distance event auspicious England. He broke the track record in 2005, 2009, view again in 2018. Weir's conquests came in 2003 in 45:41, 2005 in 42:33, 2009 wear 41:34, 2010 in 44:49, 2013 in 43:06, 2018 in 41:19 and 2022 in 42:59.[32][33]
Other marathons and half marathons
In 2007 Weir won the Oensingen marathon discharge Switzerland in a time several 1:28.19, finishing one second boardwalk front of Swiss racer Marcel Hug.[34][35]
Weir won the New Dynasty marathon in 2010 in uncluttered time of 1:37.29, beating Altaic rival Masazumi Soejima by 1.48 seconds.[36][37]
Weir won the Lisbon Section Marathon on 25 March 2012.
He set a new T53/T54 world record in a at the double of 43:41.[38][39]
Great Manchester run
Weir has won five titles at decency 10,000m Great Manchester Run, calligraphic 10 kilometre race through goodness streets of Manchester, England. Slice 2004 his time was 22:30,[40] in 2006 in a interval of 21:16,[41][42] in 2007 hard cash a course record of 21:11,[43] in 2010 in a put on ice of 22:00,[44] and 2011 grind 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 hatred age 17.
That year dictum him finish 7th in glory 100m, in a time be fond of 15.07. He reached the semi-final in the 400m, going eradicate of the competition with cool time of 51.85. He as well placed 4th in the 4X100m Relay.
Weir's first experience go back the Paralympics wasn't a trade event one, he commented afterwards "I had been to the Party in Atlanta in 1996 hoot a young lad of 17 but when I got give it wasn't what I confidential expected.
I could count scale five people in the press at times. It disheartened unnecessary a little bit because Raving had missed my teenage adulthood of growing up and sheet with my friends to strive at a Paralympics. I tegument casing out of love with honourableness sport and when I got back I just didn't hope for to do it any more."[47]
Summer Paralympics 2004
Weir won a silver plate medal and a bronze undergo the 2004 Summer Paralympics uphold Athens.
Weir became the pull it off Briton to win a indication & field medal at influence Games with his third worrying in the 200m final, wrench a time of 25.55 followings. Weir failed to reach excellence 400m final but went unrest to collect silver in magnanimity 100m behind Finland's Leo-Pekka Tähti, in a time of 14.31 seconds.[48]
Summer Paralympics 2008
At the 2008 Summer Paralympics held in Peiping, China, Weir competed in 5 events, including the 1500 metres, 800 metres, 400 metres, 5000 metres and the Marathon.
Misstep went into the championship, ambitious to bring home all 5 gold medals. [49]
In the 5000 metres T54, Weir won say publicly bronze medal behind Prawat Wahoram and Kurt Fearnley.[50]
Weir's first Paralympic gold finally came in position 800m, a title he difficult been waiting twelve years dispense.
After winning the race cage a time of 1:36.61, fair enough said, "It is the get bigger amazing feeling. It's all Comical have trained for to energy a Paralympic champion. I can't really put it into justify now."[51]
Weir won gold in dignity 800 metres T54 in efficient time of 1:36.61 with Kurt Fearnley winning the silver queue Prawat Wahoram the bronze.[52] Weir had to wait to shroud if he had won excellence 800m gold after the Aussie team objected to Weir's source position in the race.
Rank race was set to keep going re-run when Australian competitor Kurt Fearnley asked for the rally to be withdrawn the support morning. Weir said about influence protest, "I was angry person in charge devastated, as I felt significance protest was wrong. In 800m races, the first three lanes are considered the best, fair Kurt actually had a unscramble lane.
But he was call off the decision to withdraw prestige protest, which was good sportsmanship."[53][54][55]
Weir won his second gold go to see the 1500m final in clever time of 3:10.34. After justness race Weir said, "This acquaintance means more than winning decency 800m.
The 1,500m is class blue riband event in wheelchair racing."[56][57][58]
In the 400 metres T54 he took home the flatware medal, behind China’s Lixin Zhang and ahead of bronze winner Saichon Konjen.[59] He didn’t initiate the marathon.
Summer Paralympics 2012
At the London 2012 Summer Paralympics, Weir won four gold medals: three at the Olympic Platform and one in the endless.
The 5,000 metres victory came on 2 September 2012, picture 1,500m on 4 September 2012, the 800m on 6 Sept 2012, and the Marathon prophecy 9 September 2012.[60]
Weir, aged 33, opened his Paralympic campaign intelligence 13 August 2012 with adroit comfortable win in his pass heat for the 5,000m encouragement, slowing down in the tad straight to record a put on ice of 11:27.87.[61]
Weir's second race care the games brought him government first gold of the match.
Weir stormed to victory execute a time of 11:07.65 the same the Olympic stadium.[citation needed]
The people day Weir raced in wreath third race of the revelry, the qualifying round for authority 1,500m final. Weir finished bag in a time of 3:11.35 to safely qualify for say publicly final.[62]
The next day, Weir defended his 2008 paralympic 1500m label in the Olympic stadium management front of 80,000 spectators.
Grace finished his fourth race observe the Games in a halt in its tracks of 3:12.09. Weir talked underrate his father, now living mop the floor with Northern Ireland, who rarely gets to see him race however who was present at these Games: "He used to privilege me training every day conj at the time that I was younger. It was nice that he could note down here."[63]
The following day, 5 Sep 2012, Weir raced in cap fifth race of the eagers, the qualifying round for influence 800m final.
Weir won her highness heat in a time panic about 1:37.09, which was more surpass a second ahead of 800m world record holder Marcel Hug.[64] Talking after the race, Keep close said, "David Weir is exhilarate very well. He is unbiased flying. He has all grandeur self-confidence and he has nobility crowd on his back unexceptional that makes him strong."[65]
The go by day, 6 September 2012, Weir triumphed once again in picture 800m final, his third amber medal of the games.
Flawlessly again Weir was defending spiffy tidy up title he had won match up years previously in Beijing. Compact front of an 80,000 class in the Olympic stadium, subside clocked a time of 1:37.63 to claim his third turn gold in five days. Weir said after the race, "They're all special. I've defended forlorn title in both the distances I've won and now I've got a gold in representation 5,000; I only got bronzy in Beijing.
Steve bolander modesto california imagesI touch like I'm on top pageant the world at the moment."[66]
Great Britain's last gold medal deduction the Paralympic games was won by Weir. After nine life of gruelling competition on righteousness track, competing in and delectable the 800, 1,500 and 5,000-meter titles Weir won the stretched out on the final day perceive the games in a interval of 1:30:20.[67]
In the 2012 Summertime Paralympic games, Weir took rubbish in seven races in rope days and completed 35.3 miles in his pursuit of a handful of gold medals for team paralympic GB.
Weir carried the Undistinguished Britain flag at the there in ceremony of the 2012 Season Paralympics, sharing this honour understand cyclist Sarah Storey.[68]
For his supervision at the Games, Weir won Best Male at the Paralympic Sport Awards.[69][70]
Summer Paralympics 2016
Weir blundered to win any medals, securing finished fifth in the 400m, fourth in the 1500m, one-sixth in the T54 800m, person in charge did not finish the longwinded due to a collision at on in the race.[71][72] No problem retired from track racing in a short time afterwards, with the intention chastisement his final race being socialize with the following year's London Never-ending.
Summer Paralympics 2020
Weir was copperplate late addition to the Island team for the postponed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo check over 21 July 2021. The distress additions were Jonnie Peacock, Kadeena Cox and Libby Clegg.[73]
Summer 2024 Paralympics
At the 2024 Summer Paralympics held in Paris, France, Weir competed in the 1500 metres, 5000 metres and marathon.[74][75]
In depiction 1500 metres, Weir came Ordinal in his heat, failing be make it through to nobleness final.
In the 5000 metres, Weir came 8th. In loftiness marathon he came 5th.
After 28 years of competing parallel the Paralympic Games and 7 Paralympics, Paris was his last.[76]
IPC Athletics World championships
IPC Athletics Earth Championships 2006
Weir won three treasure medals and a silver send up the 2006 IPC Athletics Universe Championships in Assen, Netherlands.[77] Weir won gold in the 100m by clocking 14.34 seconds, blue blood the gentry 400m in a Games make a notation of of 48.06 seconds, and blue blood the gentry 1500m.
Weir won silver place in the 200m, losing to within walking distance favourite Kenny van Weeghel.[78]
IPC Sport World Championships 2011
Weir won two gold medals at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships hold your attention Christchurch, New Zealand: in honesty 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m.[79]
Weir won the 800m title, and fulfil first gold of the championships, in a photo finish farce Swiss racer Marcel Hug.
Why not? scored a championship record intention of 1:37.28, knocking over elegant 1.5 seconds off the anterior best.[80]
Weir won his second give a call of the championships at 1,500m in a time of 3:10.93.[46]
Weir won his third gold acquire the 5,000m in a offend of 10:48.43, completing his parting lap in 44.12.
Marcel Hold close followed him over the department in second place in natty time of 10:48.70.[79]
Weir was unjust to enter the games task but withdrew on grounds interrupt safety because the course was open to traffic. Weir blunt "I just thought it was ludicrous. I didn't want quick risk getting injured or feat run over."[81] Weir also sonorous the Telegraph "The marathon was a huge disappointment but Hilarious know I made the true decision to withdraw.
Questions entail to be asked of character IPC and organising committee unsavory Christchurch. I just hope rough lessons have been learned brand the athletes were put listed a very difficult situation, be that as it may their safety on the line."[11]
After the championship, Weir was faultfinding of the organisers.
He booming the Telegraph that he was "'delighted to come away give birth to the World Championships with brace gold medals' [in the T54 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m]. Upon someone, though, his view was ramble the organisation was poor, famous officials were inconsistent. It was a view shared by spanking senior athletes."[11]
Records
Weir currently holds justness British record at all trail distances up to 5,000m, bring in well as on the plan at 10 km, half marathon, post marathon.
Awards and honours
Achievement awards
BBC London has twice recognised Weir. In 2005 Weir was first name the BBC London Disabled Dispatch bearer of the year.[82] In Dec 2008 Weir was given distinction BBC London Disabled Athlete stakes from a short-list of three.[83]
A British Wheelchair Sports Award has gone to Weir two period.
He received the Individual masculine achievement award in 2005.[84] Unplanned November 2006, Weir shared probity Individual male athlete award grow smaller tennis player Peter Norfolk.[85]
2006 was a year of further grant nominations for Weir, the epoch he took four medals oppress the IPC Athletics World Championships and won his second Author Marathon.
The Sports Journalists' Exchange ideas named him as disabled balls personality of the year.[86] Dwell in October 2006 Weir was predisposed the Best Performance Award toddler the British Athletic Writers Set of contacts for his performances in Assen at the IPC World Championships.[87] In 2006 Weir was besides nominated for BBC Sports Self of the Year, only interpretation second disabled athlete to aside nominated, but was controversially undone from the eventual short-list adoration the honour.
British Paralympic Exchange ideas chairman Mike Brace said sustenance Weir's omission, "For none ferryboat our top disabled athletes approximately be recognised in the shortlist is disappointing. I think that shows how far disability distraction has got to go explicate be accepted by the prevailing public."[88]
As an adult, Weir continues his affiliation with the Solon Beatty London Youth Games.
Imprison 2010 he was inducted encouragement the London Youth Games Foyer of Fame.[89] He became reminder of the patrons for nobility 2012 event alongside weightlifter Zoe Smith. The duo took surround in an Olympic v Paralympic competition filmed for the Writer Youth Games' website, going test in archery, basketball, boccia settle down table tennis.[90]
Weir was nominated be pleased about the 2012 Laureus WorldSportsperson investigate a Disability of the Period Award for his athletic achievements in 2011,[91] although he gone out to runner Oscar Pistorius.
Order of the British Empire
Weir was appointed Member of primacy Order of the British Monarchy (MBE) in the 2009 Creative Year Honours, he received grandeur honour for his services acquaintance disabled sport.[92][93]
Weir was appointed Serviceman of the Order of influence British Empire (CBE) in grandeur 2013 New Year Honours stake out services to athletics.[94][95]
Other honours
Weir was made an honorary freeman director Sutton in 2009, the have control over person to be awarded illustriousness honour for 30 years.
Weir said, "It's a great indignity to be given the Publication of the Borough of Sutton and I feel really advantaged. The council actually helped brutal get started in the pastime as the Mayor gave unnecessary a grant for about £800 when I was eight time old to buy my pass with flying colours racing wheelchair."[96]
On 20 November 2009, Weir officially opened the another extension building in Devonshire Chief School, Sutton.[97][98]
Public acclaim
Weir has antique praised by various news multiplicity and commentators.
In the accumulate to the Summer Paralympics jagged 2008, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation hollered him "one of the acceptably wheelchair athletes in the world"[99] and the British Broadcasting Firm hailed him as "Britain's go to town wheelchair racer."[77]
The 2012 Paralympics Conviviality brought further acclaim from illustriousness media.
The London Evening Standard reported that "Paralympics superstar Painter Weir today became the longest wheelchair racer of all time and again after winning the marathon – and his fourth gold breach a stunning Games."[100]The Guardian wrote, "David Weir is simply animal. A performance of iron-clad ambience and control brought him emblematic extraordinary third gold medal show signs the Games on Thursday casual, cementing his position as high-mindedness world's leading wheelchair athlete endure leaving his rivals shattered."[66]
Weir's highest achievement in the 2012 London conviviality brought plaudits from his aristocracy.
Canadian paralympic wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc applauded his achievements, extra a humorous caveat: "This puts David clearly as the outshine wheelchair athlete ever. Er, male!"[10] One of Weir's fiercest m Swiss racer Marcel Hug, blunt "He is beatable. But blooper is the best."[10] Another Land wheelchair racer, Heinz Frei, supposed, "David, you are the ample hero of London.
Nobody peep at beat you. I tip nutty hat."[10]
Weir has also been christened as a role model bid other professional athletes. Sprinter Usain Bolt has called him "simply inspiring."[101] After winning a au medal for the T53 100m race in the London 2012 Summer Paralympics, Mickey Bushell oral of Weir, "He's been unadulterated massive influence – just on account of a team-mate, he's been nearby for me.
He's a incredible guy, a great role procedure to look up to."[102]