Weirwolf Page 21

  I would like to take this opportunity to thank my friends at St Mary’s University for their support over the past few years; they know who they are.

  I must also mention that without my sponsors I would not be able to follow my dream and compete at the level that I do today. Their support is invaluable.

  I owe a great many thanks to the people behind this book: without them it would not have been possible. Thanks and appreciation to David Bond, who has worked with me to ensure that my story is told in my own way; to Charlie Campbell at Ed Victor; to the publishers, Biteback; and to my agents, Definitive Sports Management.

  London 2012 was special. My Team GB mates, namely Dan Greaves and Aled Davies MBE, were with me every step of the way – quite simply, thanks boys!

  My brothers and my friends are also very special people, very close to me. There are too many friends to mention individually, but they know who they are: thanks, guys, for always being there when it counts!

  Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank my fiancée, Emily. Without her encouragement, patience and love over the past few years I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I also thank my mum and dad, Jackie and David, for their faith in me and for allowing me to follow my dream. It was under their watchful eye that I gained so much drive and ability to tackle challenges head on; thanks to them my dream was achieved.

  DAVID BOND

  David Bond is the BBC’s sports editor and fronted BBC News’s widely applauded coverage of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Before joining the BBC he was the sports editor of the Daily Telegraph and has also worked for the London Evening Standard and the Sunday Times. Over the last three years, he has covered the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, the FIFA corruption affair and cricket’s spot-fixing. He has always focused on the stories behind sport – the movers and shakers who run the show; the big money deals; and the scandals which have come to shape and dominate what is, today, a multi-billion-pound business. David is forty, is married to Lucy, lives in south-west London and has two children, Max and Willow Clemency.

  PICTURE CREDITS

  Plate section

  © Gareth Fuller/LOCOG/Press Association Images

  © MSgt Sean M. Worrell

  © Ed Clayton

  © Caroline Granycome

  © Teecefamily

  ©Paul Ellis/AFP/GettyImages

  © Dominic Lipinski/PA Wire

  © John Stillwell/PA Wire

  © Elsie Kibue / Demotix/Demotix/Press Association Images

  © Steve Parsons/PA Wire

  © Adam Davy/PA Wire

  © Harry Engels/Getty Images

  ©Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

  INDEX

  Adams, Jeff 1, 2, 3

  Ainslie, Sir Ben 1, 2

  Alfie (dog) 1

  Ali, Muhammad 1

  Anniversary Games (2013) 1

  Archer, Jenny agrees to train David 1

  and Athens Paralympics 1, 2, 3, 4

  athletics career of 1

  and Beijing Paralympics 1, 2

  character of 1, 2, 3

  and David’s break-up with Kaylie 1

  and David’s drug use 1

  and David’s glandular fever diagnosis 1

  and David’s potential 1

  and David’s shoulder injury 1, 2

  and David’s success 1, 2

  and David’s world records 1

  and London Marathon (2002) 1

  and London Marathon (2013) 1

  and London Paralympics training regime 1, 2

  and New Zealand World Championships 1, 2

  and Peter Eriksson 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  and pre-race advice 1, 2

  as ‘second mother’ to David 1, 2, 3

  as superstitious 1

  and UKA 1

  and Weir Archer Academy 1

  and Wimbledon Football Club 1, 2

  Baulch, Jamie 1, 2

  BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards (2012) 1

  Bedelsford School (London) 1, 2, 3

  Bergkamp, Dennis 1

  Bird, Jordan 1

  Bird’s Nest (Beijing National Stadium) 1, 2, 3

  BMW sponsorship deal 1

  Bolt, Usain 1, 2, 3

  Boyle, Danny 1

  Brailsford, Dave 1

  British Paralympic Association 1, 2, 3

  Burnell, Cerrie 1

  Bushell, Mickey 1

  Cambridge, Duchess of 1

  Capello, Fabio 1

  Carruthers, Peter 1

  Carter, Jamie 1

  Casoli, Julien 1, 2, 3, 4

  Cassidy, Josh 1, 2

  Cecil, Sarah 1, 2

  Chengming, Liu 1

  Clinton, Bill 1

  Cockcroft, Hannah 1, 2

  Coe, Sebastian 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

  van Commenee, Charles 1

  Cooper, Nick 1, 2

  Cowan, Lloyd 1

  Craig, Josef 1

  Crates, Danny 1

  Davies, Aled 1, 2

  Davies, Gareth A. 1

  Draft (racing-chair manufacturer) 1, 2

  Edwards, Jonathan 1

  Edwards, Rick 1

  Ennis, Jessica 1, 2

  Ephgrave, Alan 1

  Equality Act (2010) 1, 2

  Ericsson, Håkan 1

  Eriksson, Peter 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

  Eriksson, Sven-Göran 1

  Fairbank, Pierre 1

  Farah, Mo 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

  Fashanu, John 1

  Fearnley, Kurt and Beijing Paralympics 1, 2, 3

  and David’s crash 1

  and London Marathon (2013) 1

  and London Paralympics 1, 2, 3

  world record attempts 1

  Frei, Heinz 1, 2, 3, 4

  Gayle, John 1

  George, Josh 1

  Gore, Al 1

  Great Ormond Street Hospital (London) 1

  Green, Sir Philip 1

  Grey-Thompson, Tanni and Atlanta Paralympics 1, 2

  and Barcelona Paralympics 1

  and David’s world records 1

  and London Marathons 1, 2

  and successful London Olympic bid 1

  support for David 1, 2, 3

  and Sydney Paralympics 1, 2

  Gunnell, Sally 1

  Guttmann, Sir Ludwig 1

  Halling, Mel 1

  ‘Harder Than You Think’ (song) 1

  Hawking, Stephen 1

  Hills, Adam 1

  Holding, Dave 1, 2, 3, 4

  Hoy, Sir Chris 1, 2, 3, 4

  Hug, Marcel and Beijing Paralympics 1, 2

  and London Marathon (2012) 1

  and London Paralympics 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

  physique of 1

  and Swiss Paralympic Centre meeting 1

  and World Championships (2011) 1

  and World Championships (2013) 1

  Hunnisett, Abbie 1

  IPC (International Paralympic Committee) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Izzard, Eddie 1

  Johnson, Boris 1, 2

  Johnson, Michael 1

  Jones, Jade 1

  Jones, Tim 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Jones, Vinnie 1

  Kaylie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Konjen, Saichon 1

  Last Leg, The (television show) 1

  Lee Valley Athletics Centre (London) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Livingstone, Ken 1

  London Marathon 2002 1

  2008 1

  2012 1

  2013 1, 2

  David’s ambitions for 1, 2

  London Mini-Marathon 1, 2

  London Youth Games 1

  Lucas, Helena 1

  McDonald’s 1

  Martin, Paul 1, 2

  Mendoza, Saúl 1

  Murray, Andy 1

  New York Marathon (2010) 1, 2

  Norfolk, Peter 1

  Oliveira, Alan 1

  Olympic Games (Atlanta, 1996) 1

  Olympic Games (London, 2012) awarded to London 1, 2

  opening ceremony 1

  succ
ess of 1, 2, 3

  and Team GB 1

  torch relay 1

  Olympic Games (Sydney, 2000) 1

  Paralympic Games (Athens, 2004) 100m final 1

  100m heat 1

  200m final 1

  ambitions for 1

  as inspiration to achieve more 1

  lack of support for 1

  selected for GB Team 1

  training for 1

  Paralympic Games (Atlanta, 1996) 100m final 1

  ambitions for 1, 2

  budget of 1

  inadequate facilities provided 1

  lack of support for 1, 2

  preparations for 1

  qualifying for 1

  selected for GB Team 1

  Paralympic Games (Barcelona, 1992) 1, 2

  Paralympic Games (Beijing, 2008) 400m final 1

  800m final 1

  1,500m final 1

  1,500m heat 1

  5,000m final 1

  aftermath of 1

  ambitions for 1

  and China’s treatment of disabled people 1, 2, 3

  crashes at 1, 2

  opening ceremony 1

  preparations for 1, 2

  qualifying for 1

  and Team GB’s success 1

  and Usain Bolt 1

  Paralympic Games (London, 2012) 800m final 1

  800m heat 1, 2

  1,500m final 1

  1,500m heat 1, 2

  5,000m final 1

  5,000m heat 1, 2

  ambitions for 1

  awarded to London 1, 2, 3

  C4’s coverage of 1, 2

  closing ceremony 1, 2

  as equal partner to the Olympics 1, 2, 3

  Heroes Parade 1, 2

  legacy of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

  marathon event 1

  as motivational force 1

  opening ceremony 1

  popularity of 1, 2, 3

  presentation ceremonies 1, 2, 3, 4

  slogan for 1

  success of 1, 2, 3, 4

  test event 1

  torch relay 1

  training for 1, 2, 3, 4

  Paralympic Games (Rio, 2016) 1

  Paralympic Games (Sydney, 2000) 1, 2, 3

  Patel, Tushar 1

  Peacock, Jonnie 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Periac, Kathryn 1, 2, 3, 4

  Perry, Gordon 1

  Petitclerc, Chantal 1, 2, 3

  Pinto, Lewis 1

  Pistorius, Oscar 1, 2

  Queen Mary’s Hospital (London) 1

  Redgrave, Sir Steve 1

  Reeve, Christopher 1

  Richard, Sir Cliff 1

  Richmond Park (London) 1, 2, 3, 4

  Rogge, Jacques 1, 2

  Roundshaw Estate (Wallington) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Rudisha, David 1

  Sadler, Chas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  Sadler, Dan 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  St Mary’s University College (London) 1, 2, 3

  Schabort, Krige 1

  ‘scrubbing’ 1

  Simmonds, Ellie 1

  Smith, Will 1

  Soejima, Masazumi 1

  Spencer, Graham 1

  Stade de France (Paris) 1

  Storey, Sarah 1, 2, 3

  Suk-Man, Hong 1

  Tähti, Leo-Pekka 1, 2

  TalkSport (radio station) 1, 2

  Thompson, Ian 1, 2

  Thorne, Emily (David’s fiancée) and birth of Mason 1

  and birth of Tillia 1

  and David’s crash in Switzerland 1

  and London Marathon (2013) 1

  and London Paralympics 1, 2

  meets David 1

  and New York Marathon (2010) 1

  pregnancy with Mason 1

  pregnancy with Tillia 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  and pre-race advice 1, 2

  and Rio Paralympics 1, 2

  and Ronie 1

  suffers miscarriage 1

  support for David 1, 2

  Thrush, Camilla 1

  Tolworth Girls’ School 1

  Tooting Bec athletics track (Wandsworth) 1, 2, 3

  Top End (racing-chair manufacturer) 1

  Twell, Steph 1

  UKA (UK Athletics) and David’s decision to leave Lee Valley 1

  and David’s glandular fever diagnosis 1

  and David’s shoulder injury 1

  and London Paralympics opening ceremony 1

  and middle-distance racing 1, 2

  and New Zealand World Championships 1

  and Portugal training camp 1

  and ticketing for London Paralympics 1

  Upsdell, Lloyd 1

  WADA (the World Anti-Doping Agency) 1

  Wahoram, Prawat 1, 2, 3, 4

  van Weeghel, Kenny 1, 2

  Weir Archer Academy 1

  Weir, Alan (David’s brother) 1, 2, 3, 4

  Weir, David abuse received 1, 2

  and Anniversary Games 1

  as Arsenal fan 1, 2, 3

  and Athens Paralympics see Paralympic Games (Athens, 2004)

  and Atlanta Paralympics see Paralympic Games (Atlanta, 1996)

  attitude to cheating 1, 2

  and autograph-hunters 1, 2

  awarded CBE 1

  and basketball 1

  and BBC Sports Personality of the Year awards 1

  and beetroot juice 1, 2, 3

  and Beijing Paralympics see Paralympic Games (Beijing, 2008)

  birth of 1

  and birth of Mason 1

  and birth of Ronie 1

  and birth of Tillia 1

  breaks up with Kaylie 1, 2

  and callipers 1, 2, 3, 4

  career achievements 1

  childhood of 1, 2, 3

  clashes with Peter Eriksson 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  and compensators 1, 2, 3

  confidence of 1, 2, 3

  Cornwall holiday 1

  cortisone injections 1, 2, 3, 4

  and crashes 1, 2

  and ‘cripple’ name-calling 1

  determination of 1, 2

  diagnosed with glandular fever 1

  diagnosed with spinal cord transection 1

  disillusionment with Paralympic sport 1, 2

  as dog lover 1

  and driving 1

  and drug use (recreational) 1, 2, 3

  and drugs testing 1

  early relationships 1, 2

  and earthquake in New Zealand 1

  and eating before racing 1, 2, 3

  education of 1, 2, 3

  and Emily’s miscarriage 1–7

  endurance of 1

  and faith 1

  fear of flying 1, 2, 3, 4

  fear of passing on disability to children 1, 2

  first racing wheelchair 1

  and football 1, 2, 3

  and foreign coaches 1

  gets lost in Beijing 1

  Ibiza holidays 1, 2

  insecurity of 1

  and job-hunting 1

  and junior race meetings 1

  and Lee Valley Athletics Centre 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  and London Marathon see London Marathon

  and London Mini-Marathon 1, 2

  and London Paralympics see Paralympic Games (London, 2012)

  and London Youth Games 1, 2

  media attention 1, 2, 3

  meets Emily 1

  and middle-distance racing 1, 2

  mobbed by fans 1

  mood swings of 1

  and music 1, 2, 3

  and National Lottery funding 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

  and New Year’s Eve (2011) 1

  and New York Marathon (2010) 1, 2

  and Paralympians competing in the Olympics 1

  and parents’ break-up 1

  patriotism of 1, 2, 3, 4

  and PE lessons 1, 2, 3

  and Portugal training camp 1

  pre-race nerves 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

  and prize money 1

  promotional photo shoot 1

  quits racing 1

  racing routine of 1, 2

  racing
tactics of 1

  and raves 1, 2, 3

  and recognition for Paralympic athletes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

  and Rio Paralympics 1

  ruthlessness on the track 1

  and St Mary’s University College 1, 2, 3

  shoulder injury 1, 2, 3, 4

  shyness of 1

  and smoking 1, 2

  sponsorship deals 1, 2

  and sports psychologists 1

  and sprinting 1, 2, 3, 4

  state-of-the-art chair designed for 1

  strength of 1

  style of racing 1

  and swimming 1

  and Sydney Paralympics 1, 2, 3

  and technology/gadgets in racing 1

  tests carried out on 1

  and Tooting Bec athletics track 1, 2, 3

  trains with cyclists 1

  and Weir Archer Academy 1

  and ‘Weirwolf’ nickname 1, 2, 3, 4

  and Wimbledon Football Club 1

  and World Championships see World Championships

  and world records 1, 2, 3, 4

  Weir, David ‘Sammy’ (David’s father) army career 1, 2, 3

  and birth of David 1

  breaks up with Jackie 1

  and David’s break-up with Kaylie 1

  and David’s childhood 1, 2, 3

  and David’s drug use 1

  and David’s education 1

  and David’s training 1

  and London Paralympics 1

  meets Jackie 1

  Weir, Jackie (David’s mother) and Atlanta Paralympics 1

  and birth of David 1

  breaks up with ‘Sammy’ 1

  and David’s break-up with Kaylie 1

  and David’s childhood 1, 2, 3

  and David’s drug use 1

  and David’s education 1, 2

  and David’s training 1

  determination of 1, 2, 3

  and Emily’s miscarriage 1

  and London Paralympics 1

  meets ‘Sammy’ 1