20 August 2018
Whitehead, Lyle and Fortune provide golden shine for GB
Richard Whitehead will savour his fourth World Para Athletics European Championships title but insists that he places legacy over personal glory.
The 42-year-old added to the two T42 200m gold medals and T42 100m prize already in his trophy cabinet by storming to victory in the men’s T61 200m final in Berlin, with Luke Sinnott taking bronze.
Whitehead was one of three British gold medal-winners on day two of competition in the German capital – Maria Lyle and Sabrina Fortune triumphing in the women’s T35 100m and F20 shot put respectively – but says that the bigger picture remains his primary concern.
“It wasn’t about winning the race – medals aren’t something that inspire me to continue,” said Whitehead, who left Berlin-born Ali Lacin (27.39) and teammate Sinnott (29.76) in his wake as he came home in 24.22 seconds.
“The impact sport has had one someone like Ali is definitely inspiring.
“It wasn’t about winning the race – medals aren’t something that inspire me to continue"
“When you look at the impact since [London] 2012, it is about making sure it is not just about the Paralympic Games but it filters down to European level and the domestic side.
“We want to engage and encourage communities all over the world, and hopefully, we empower the next group of athletes.
“We have the ability to bring young talent through and nurture that talent from an early age.
“We have also invested in coaching and the structures that are behind the performances. When you see a performance on the track, so much hard work has gone into it.”
Meanwhile, teenager Lyle is celebrating her third straight T35 100m gold as she bested the Netherlands’ Nienke Timmer (16.05) and Ukranian Valeriia Yanhol (16.32) by more than half a second.
And the 18-year-old, who came home in 15.32, revealed she overcame a major fitness battle to even make it to the start line at the Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark.
“A couple of weeks before the event, I wasn’t sure if I would come out and compete,” said Lyle.
Maria Lyle
“But I am not a quitter and I don’t want to give up, so even if I came out here and got on the line and didn’t perform to my best, as long as I got here and tried my very best; that is all I could ask for.
“People forget that it is a European Championships – it is a big deal for people like me.
“It is another learning step for Tokyo. It is not something you do often.”
En route to F20 shot put success, Fortune set a new championship record of 12.89m – and then beat that landmark twice more.
The 21-year-old went on to celebrate a throw of 13.18m and then, with her sixth and final attempt, she racked up 13.30m to finish with an almighty flourish.
“It is amazing. I never thought I would get a gold medal here. The crowd was amazing and being a part of that field was an experience and a half,” she said.
“Sometimes, going into a competition wanting the world record, wanting gold – it doesn’t always work like that.
“Last night I had a dream I would win gold. I’m so glad it came true.”
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