PARALYMPICS / Newsmakers

Time for a fine Aussie red
By Lan Tian
China Daily/The Paralympain Staff Writer
Updated: 2008-09-13 11:26

 

Australian Christopher Scott bagged a gold, a silver and a bronze in track and road cycling in Beijing - and is content enough to retire after this Games.

 

 Australian Christopher Scott on his way to silver in the men's individual time trial CP 4 final at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games September 12, 2008. Spain's Cesar Neira won the gold.

In the 24.8km road race around the spectacular Ming Tombs reservoir in Beijing's Changping district Friday, the six-time Paralympian bagged a silver medal in the men's CP4 individual time trial in 35 min 55.99 sec, only 2 sec slower than Spanish rider Cesar Neira.

"I gave everything I had to come second by two seconds," said Scott. "I gave it 100 percent effort."

After hearing cycling legend Lance Armstrong would come out of retirement in 2009 in a bid to win an eighth Tour de France crown, Scott said he was excited by the news even if it didn't appeal to him personally.

"I'm retiring here and definitely will not come back," said the 39-year-old, who has born with cerebral palsy.

"It's my last Paralympics - my last pursuit."

Earlier at the Beijing Games, Scott won two medals in track cycling - gold in the men's individual pursuit CP4, and bronze in the individual 1km time trial CP4.

Nicknamed "Gecko" by his teammates, the multitalented athlete is respected for his discipline and dedication.

His first Paralympic Games was in Seoul in 1988, where he was a member of the Australian 7-a-side football team that finished 5th.

He also competed in athletics at the 1992 Paralympics in Barcelona, where he finished 12th in the 5,000m.

After switching to cycling in 1993, Scott competed in Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004.

In Athens, he took gold in the 3km individual pursuit, individual time trial, the team sprint and the time trial road race.

He rides between 250km and 600km every week - rain, hail or shine.

"I feel most comfortable when I'm riding my bike. Cycling is what I was meant to do in life," he said.

"Before cycling I was pretty shy. It not only helps me physically, but makes me more confident."

Scott has already planned for life after sport.

"Relax a lot, drink a lot of red wine," he said. "I love red wine and as soon as I finish the event, I will try to find the best wine I can."

Scott was named the Australian Male Disabled Cyclist of the Year for four consecutive years from 2002 to 2005, and was the 2005 Australian Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability.

He is also the recipient of the Medal of the Order of Australia.

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