Guts Giving Way to Glory for Richard Whitehead

Whenever an athlete tries to explain that results are not overly important, and there is a higher significance to the reason they compete, the immediate reaction is doubt. More often than not, this is justified, and it is a lack of confidence, rather than sincerity or philosophical insight that causes such sentiment. However, when Richard Whitehead suggests, “the sustained impact I can have on the people that watch me compete,” would be the primary force spurring him on at London 2012, he is utterly convincing.

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The authenticity of Whitehead’s words is forged out of an iron grip on perspective. As a congenital double amputee, he has overcome his fair share of genuine adversity, but there is no danger of him complaining. Instead, the tenacity that drives his pursuit of marathon running shines through every word he speaks.

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When Whitehead first completed the gruelling course in New York six years ago, he took just shy of five-and-a-half hours. His personal best now stands at two hours and forty-two minutes, a world record. As he explains this astonishing progress, his dogged determination to excel in front of a home crowd at the Paralympics in two years’ time is starkly evident.

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“Running a marathon for the first time is difficult for anyone,” Whitehead says, a modest manner tempering the steely glare of a resolute competitor. “I’ve no idea how quick I can eventually go. In 2011 I’m going to go full-time so that will increase my rest time and I will be able to have longer, better training sessions.”

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“Most people close their eyes and think about the start line but at the moment, I just want to concentrate on becoming as good an athlete as I can potentially be. There’s still a long way to go and I shouldn’t look further ahead than the World Championships in January. I’ve got so much more to give.”

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Whilst undeniably phenomenal, the 34 year-old’s best effort in the marathon is seven minutes short of the A-standard qualifying time for the T46 category. Bullishly asserting that, by the end of 2011, his performance “will be twenty percent better,” Whitehead has set his stall out. He is certain that he will limbo under the barrier to reach London with ease. However, though this singular focus will allow him to glide across the biggest stage in the world on his carbon-fibre prosthetics eventually, the Nottingham man’s versatility is just as impressive.

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Before he set his sights on running, Whitehead excelled at cricket, swimming and ice sledge hockey, in which he represented Great Britain at the 2006 Winter Paralympics in Turin. �For “just a bit of fun,” there is also the prospect of doubling up in London by entering the 200 metres as well. By anyone’s standards, this is a comprehensive catalogue of achievement.

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There is more, though. In keeping with the immense endurance that is a prerequisite for his event, Whitehead finds enough time to help out youngsters throughout his native county and beyond.

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“Grassroots sport is something I feel really strongly about,” he says. “Swimming is one of the things I started with, that and gymnastics. I felt that they taught me fundamental skills like balance agility and co-ordination, but also enjoyment and social skills, friendship making and things like that. The children I coach aren’t disabled, they are just mainstream children who want to be involved.”

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As he continues to articulate his undying passion, a straightforward tone does not waver. “In this tough climate, when people might be feeling down, sport has got a great way of bridging those barriers and lightening up situations. The power of sport is huge and it’s all about choices.”

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Such comments reveal the ambassadorial dimension that Whitehead has inevitably taken on. Alongside South African sensation Oscar Pistorius, he is part of Team Ossür and works closely with the prosthetics company to make sure they receive broad feedback on the “blades” they produce. Selfless and inspirational in equal measure, he is a true asset to sport.

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Whitehead has just returned from New York, where he made his baby steps into an event he now dominates. Rather than showcasing the giant strides he has made to the top of his sport however, there were more humanitarian matters at hand.

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“This time it was about helping others,” he states, without any trace of self-importance. “I’ve done a lot of work with the Wounded Warriors at the Walter Reed hospital in Washington and a lot of those guys had recently received prosthetics that they could run on so I guided them through the marathon.”

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“Getting those guys to the finish was far more important than getting a time. It shows that having an impairment can be very positive in that environment. Maybe one day I’ll go back to New York and race it.”

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When the discussion turns to Whitehead’s own heroes, he describes the endeavours of Terry Fox, a Canadian who lost his right leg due to a form of bone cancer that started near the knee. In 1980, Fox set out on an epic trek across the eastern portion of his country, from St John’s, Newfoundland to British Columbia. Tragically, 143 days and 3,339 miles into the journey, he found that the disease had returned and spread to his lungs. Fox died on June 28, 1981, but not before imprinting an eternal impression on millions.

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The poignancy of Fox’s story easily transcends his amputation and it is similarly fascinating to hear Whitehead illustrating his motivation. “I try to take lots of individual things from a large amount of athletes and use a sieve effect,” he says. “I see all kinds of skills in iconic figures like David Beckham and Muhammad Ali and I’ll I try and sieve out all the bad things and use the good things for myself. Then I might be the best athlete I can.”

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It is figures like Whitehead, confident and imperiously successful within their chosen discipline, that are capable of bridging the gap between Paralympic and able-bodied competitors. In the two-year run-up to London, Whitehead is understandably keen for the public to integrate the two spheres. Having paid �8 million to screen 150 hours of coverage up to and including the Games, Channel 4 will be pulling in the same direction.�

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Whitehead has glowing memories of this year’s Great North Run, when he stood at the start-line alongside Ethiopian legend Haile Gebrselassie. Declaring himself proud to be�“making people sit up and take notice,” his indomitable desire to accomplish his dreams is gathering momentum. In fact, only when admitting the reason why his football loyalties lie away from Nottingham Forest or Notts County does a hint of paranoia surface.

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“Well my family are Yorkshire based,” he laughs. “My Dad is a Leeds fan and whilst I was growing up my uncles supported other teams. I got dragged along with the one who followed Tottenham. Back then, you had Clive Allen banging in fifty goals a season so it wasn’t that bad.”

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Then he pauses, and shoots a steely glance across the table. “You’re not an Arsenal fan are you?”

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Even if I was, I wouldn't admit it now.

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Holiday Inn, the official hotel provider for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, is providing free room nights to British athletes to support their preparation over the next two years.

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