Nottingham Paralympian Richard Whitehead on how he won gold in Rio

Richard Whitehead with his Paralympic gold medal from Rio
Video: Richard Whitehead on winning his Rio Paralympics gold and his favourite runs
Nottingham’s own Paralympic gold medallist Richard Whitehead speaks to Notts TV about winning gold in Rio.
At an event where he was given a gold Nissan Leaf to honour his achievement, Richard spoke about the gold medal run, creating a legacy and learning to live with his disability.
Richard was born with his disability and is a double leg amputee with no legs from the knees down.
He learned to run with prosthetic legs and has since run 40 marathons in 40 days and has won two Olympic golds, three world championship gold medals and three European championship golds across 100m and 200m.
Richard is also the world record holder for marathons in his category and the T42 200m.
“To be able to deliver that performance at the age of 40 was really important to me and my team; it means there may be better things to come as well.
The philosophy of Paralympic sport is about galvanising a community to think positively and hopefully we’re still doing that.
It’s really important to spread the legacy and the messages worldwide and I’ve always been very passionate about supporting that.

My disability is something I’ve lived with and have had to overcome social barriers but you develop your key values from that.
Not being spoon fed all the time when you’ve had struggles in your life makes you a better person; you come out of the other side much stronger.
People with disabilities are key figures within society because they’ve overcome some real tough scenarios in life.
Trying to get the technology for my prosthetic legs was quite tough and I had big struggles running a mile let alone marathons but if you’ve got a process in place and a support team, it can definitely help.
I’m lucky to have supporting parents and to have found people who have given me value.
I worked really hard in the last four years to get into a great position going into the games and it was all about a process of putting a good 200m down; not just for the time and the medal but also for sport in South America.
All the hard work is done over the winter
When the games get closer you tend to taper for a major competition but all the hard work is done over the winter.
We went to South Africa, trained very hard out there, came back and then we started our racing calendar, so we had competitions all over the UK.
It was good to experience the European circuit and then out to Rio for the camp in Belo Horizonte.
I went into the games in great physical shape, mentally I knew where I was at so it was all about delivering that performance.
It was all about having that in place, ticking all those boxes.

Even though we were on the other side of the world the whole country was behind us.
To be part of Paralympics GB in an away games is quite special in that the Paralympic team always try and make you best prepared and to understand that your country is behind you makes me proud.
But it is all down to you.
I had family and friends out there in Rio which helped but I think for me it’s always about staying positive, one step in front of the other and giving it 100%.
Whether I’m 25 or 40 I always want to give it everything and show everyone that I’m thankful for their support in whatever form that may be.
I’m working closely with some Paralympic athletes that are coming through
When I look back over the past 20 years I’ve spent in sport, it’s all been about guts, determination, focus and drive.
I’m working closely with some of the Paralympic athletes that are coming through the ranks and that have been successful at the games, like Oliver Hynd.
They’ve been developing into role models themselves and to be the front of their communities; that’s why it’s important when you’ve had your success, you then need to give back which is an area that needs to be enhanced.”
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