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Thursday, 16 November, 2000, 14:50 GMT
The Essex Express
Lloyd Upsdell puts his success down to determination
BBC Sport Online's Ben Dirs looks at the metoric rise of double Paralympic sprint gold medallist and world record holder Lloyd Upsdell.
How does a double Olympic champion spend time reflecting on his achievements? The majority would definitely not be contemplating the prospect of undertaking exams next year. The exception is Lloyd Upsdell. The 17-year-old has experienced plenty of distractions away from the text books over the past two years, the highlight being his triumphant double in Sydney just over a month ago. But the Essex boy, who suffers from cerebral palsy, now has to concentrate on the equally challenging task of studying for his A-Levels. Pinnacle However, the 100m and 200m Paralympic champion and world record holder in both events has plenty of time to concentrate on athletics - with the potential to become one of the Paralympic all-time greats. "I'm preparing for my exams now, but I will sit down and look at my options," he said. "When I'm finished (my exams) I'll see where athletics will take me."
On his victorious return from Sydney, he was named Male Paralympian Athlete at the UK Athletics review of the year, an achievement made the more remarkable considering his tender years.
Upsdell also secured yet another 100m and 200m double at the World Disabled Athletic Championships in Birmingham last year when he was just 15, making him the undisputed sprinter in the world. He was one of the jewels in Britain's crown at the Paralympics, where the national team amassed 131 medals, 41 of them gold. As well as picking up two golds, Upsdell ran the anchor leg in Britain's 4x100m silver winning team.
"It was nice to win two golds, but the silver in the relay was a bonus because of the amount of work and preparation as a team that goes into it," he added. Modesty Laudable modesty from a man who only days before shattered two world records. Upsdell, a keen rugby fan who pledges his allegiance to Wales, bettered his own 100m mark with a run of 13.46 seconds. Even more impressively, he carved over a second off his previous 200m best, finishing in 27.17 seconds. So, does Upsdell, who conceivably has four more Paralympics in him, plan to emulate Michael Johnson and spread his wings and mount an assault on the 400m?
"I've been asked to do the 400m, but at the moment I'm sticking to the 100m, 200m and 4x100m." Mental strength A big Ipswich Town fan, the Dovedale Flier club runner revealed his mental strength and focus which many would expect from an athlete beyond his years. "I'm a very self-motivated person. In athletics no-one can really help you, so you have to be determined." If not the 400m quite yet for the Essex Express, what next? "Next year I'll be competing in the 100m and 200m and hopefully the relay in the European Championships in Holland." Where, injury permitting, Upsdell is set to blaze a trail once more and the 400m runners will be breathing a huge sigh of relief.
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See also:
12 Nov 00 | Athletics
25 Oct 00 | Paralympics
31 Oct 00 | Paralympics
22 Oct 00 | Paralympics
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