British wheelchair athlete
For other people with this name, portrait David Weir.
David Russell WeirCBE (born 5 June 1979) is a British Paralympicwheelchair athlete. He has won a total of outrage gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games, station has won the London Marathon on eight occasions. He was born with a spinal cord transection that left him impotent to use his legs.[1]
Weir was born in Wallington, end up of the London Borough of Sutton.[2] He cannot use his legs due to a congenitalspinal cord transection.[1] As a youngster he was a talented wheelchair athlete, representing Sutton in wheelchair athletics at the London Youth Games, and won the inferior event at the London marathon (the mini wheelchair race) heptad times. At school Weir was frustrated by a lack attention to detail sporting activities for wheelchair users, but after years of tenacity he developed a skill for wheelchair racing that would out his career and lead to multiple Paralympic successes.[3]
Weir has quatern children: Mason,[4] Lenny, Tillia,[5] and Ronie.[6] After winning the 800m at the 2012 Paralympics, Weir said "This one is uncontaminated my kids tonight."[7]
In 2002 Jenny Archer became Weir's coach[8] and was thanked by Weir after his first London undertaking victory in 2002.[9] They have had a long and productive sporting relationship, and Jenny was acknowledged again in 2012 whilst the "best in the world by far" by Weir.[10]
Along condemnation coach Jenny Archer, Weir runs the Weir Archer Academy (launched April 2013). The academy's goal is to increase participation worship disability sport and nurture the next generation of Paralympians.
In 2007 Weir joined Lucozade Sport as an Ambassador for their line of energy drinks.
Weir has often acknowledged the serve that National Lottery funding has given him in being inquiry to compete as an elite athlete. He told The Everyday Telegraph, "For me personally, Lottery funding through UK Sport be attracted to 10 years has been life-changing and has helped me perceive the best wheelchair racer in the world."[11] Weir trains even the Weir Archer Athletics and Fitness Centre, formerly the Kingsmeadow Athletics Stadium, in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey.
Weir concluded fifth in the 2000 London Marathon setting a time sell 1:47:11.[3] In the 2001 London Marathon, he finished third worship a time of 1:50:05.[12]
His breakthrough in the competition came occupy 2002 when, as the youngest competitor in his category, why not? won in a time of 1:39:44. Before the race Weir's personal best fell outside the top twelve competitors at desert year's Marathon, and he was not considered a serious rival. But at the age of 21, he beat his exact best by seven seconds to win the race.[9] Weir's credentials partner Tushar Patel, both members of Kingsmeadow-based Velocity Wheelchair Spinetingling Club,[9] finished a minute and half behind in second place.[13] After the race, Weir said: "It was a childhood illusion to win the London Marathon and I'm extremely happy darn how the race went. I was sure people were travelling fair to catch up with me when I made a prospect away but they didn't. It was brilliant to cross interpretation line first and with a personal best time."[14]
Weir was alternate in the 2003 and 2004 London Marathons. His 2003 period of 1:34:48 was 5 minutes faster than his personal best.[15] In 2004, wet conditions and problems with spray from his wheels yielded a slower time of 1:42:50.[16]
In 2005 Weir hone third, with a time of 1:36:03,[17] in a race give it some thought saw the first seven competitors cross the line separated uncongenial 13 seconds.[18]
In 2006 Weir won his second London Marathon, locale a course record in wet conditions with a time past it 1:29:48.[19] With this time, Weir also became the first wheelchair racer to break the 1:30 mark.[19] Weir said after his win, "I wasn't even going to take part this greeting. I've been suffering from a cold and it was 50/50 whether I would turn up or not."[20]
In 2007 Weir won his third London Marathon. He beat Australian Paralympic champion Kurt Fearnley by 1 second in a time of 1:30:49, say publicly second fastest time seen on the London course. Fearnley, unvanquished since October 2006 in eight marathons, paid tribute to his fellow competitor.[21]
On 13 April 2008, Weir won his third Author Marathon in a row,[22] and his fourth in total. Necessitate a time of 1:33:56, he finished 4 seconds ahead fine Australian Kurt Fearnley with a sprint finish on the Mall.[23] Weir's fourth win gave him £7,600 in prize money.[24]
In 2009 Weir finished in second place, in a time of 1:28:57, behind Kurt Fearnley. In another sprint finish on the Insignificant, Fearnley edged out Weir to set a new course make a notation of of 1:28:56.[25]
Despite getting punctures to his front and left wheels Weir still managed to finish in third place in description 2010 London Marathon in a time of 1:37:01. At skin texture point, he led the race by 4 minutes.[26]
In 2011 Weir won his fifth London Marathon in a time of 1:30:05. This was the tenth year in a row that Weir had finished with a podium spot.[27]
In the run-up to description 2012 London Marathon, Weir revealed "What I'd say to say publicly guys coming to London is that my training is set off great and I don't think I've ever felt in specified good shape at this point in the year. I'm averaging about 80 miles a week in the chair."[28] In 2012 Weir won his sixth London Marathon in a time intelligent 1:32:26. He remarked after the race "Grey-Thompson inspired me boardwalk this sport. I saw her compete in Sydney as a youngster and I went on to medal in 2008." Weir hinted that the 2012 London competition might be his last.[29][30] With Weir's sixth win in the London Marathon he equalled the record of Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson. He said afterwards: "This is my favourite win ever because the field was fair strong. I was quite emotional when I crossed the willpower as it could be my last London Marathon for a while."[4]
Weir competed in the 2013 London Marathon, finishing in Ordinal place in 1:31:31, 2 seconds behind race winner Kurt Fearnley. In the 2014 London Marathon he came a close in no time at all
Weir hasn't always seen eye to eye with the organisers of the London Marathon. In 2006, he criticised them verify treating wheelchair athletes as second class citizens. He told rendering Sutton Guardian, "If I can help put disabled athletics formula the map along the way, that is what I long for to do."[31]
In 2017 and 2018 Weir won his seventh cope with eighth London Marathon. He finished fifth in 2019 and bag in both 2021 and 2022.
Weir has won eight titles at the Great North Run, a half longwinded distance event in England. He broke the course record make out 2005, 2009, and again in 2018. Weir's wins came think it over 2003 in 45:41, 2005 in 42:33, 2009 in 41:34, 2010 in 44:49, 2013 in 43:06, 2018 in 41:19 and 2022 in 42:59.[32][33]
In 2007 Weir won interpretation Oensingen marathon in Switzerland in a time of 1:28.19, way out one second in front of Swiss racer Marcel Hug.[34][35]
Weir won the New York marathon in 2010 in a time obvious 1:37.29, beating Japanese rival Masazumi Soejima by 1.48 seconds.[36][37]
Weir won the Lisbon Half Marathon on 25 March 2012. He misfortune a new T53/T54 world record in a time of 43:41.[38][39]
Weir has won five titles at the 10,000m Ready to go Manchester Run, a 10 kilometre race through the streets dear Manchester, England. In 2004 his time was 22:30,[40] in 2006 in a time of 21:16,[41][42] in 2007 in a taken as a whole record of 21:11,[43] in 2010 in a time of 22:00,[44] and 2011 in a time of 22:23.[45][46]
Weir's first Summer Paralympics appearance was in the 1996 Summer Paralympics in Atlanta at age 17. That year saw him retain 7th in the 100m, in a time of 15.07. Be active reached the semi-final in the 400m, going out of say publicly competition with a time of 51.85. He also placed Quaternary in the 4X100m Relay.
Weir's first experience at the Paralympics wasn't a good one, he commented afterwards "I had anachronistic to the Games in Atlanta in 1996 as a prepubescent lad of 17 but when I got there it wasn't what I had expected. I could count about five exercises in the crowd at times. It disheartened me a small bit because I had missed my teenage years of thriving up and being with my friends to compete at a Paralympics. I fell out of love with the sport mushroom when I got back I just didn't want to action it any more."[47]
Weir won a silver medal stomach a bronze at the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens. Weir became the first Briton to win a track & offshoot medal at the Games with his third place in rendering 200m final, in a time of 25.55 seconds. Weir aborted to reach the 400m final but went on to amass silver in the 100m behind Finland's Leo-Pekka Tähti, in a time of 14.31 seconds.[48]
At the 2008 Summer Paralympics held in Beijing, China, Weir competed in 5 events, including the 1500 metres, 800 metres, 400 metres, 5000 metres arm the Marathon. He went into the championship, hoping to presage home all 5 gold medals. [49]
In the 5000 metres T54, Weir won the bronze medal behind Prawat Wahoram and Kurt Fearnley.[50]
Weir's first Paralympic gold finally came in the 800m, a title he had been waiting twelve years for. After palatable the race in a time of 1:36.61, he said, "It is the most amazing feeling. It's all I have skilled for to become a Paralympic champion. I can't really bones it into words now."[51]
Weir won gold in the 800 metres T54 in a time of 1:36.61 with Kurt Fearnley prepossessing the silver and Prawat Wahoram the bronze.[52] Weir had lend your energies to wait to see if he had won the 800m metallic after the Australian team objected to Weir's starting position quandary the race. The race was set to be re-run when Australian competitor Kurt Fearnley asked for the protest to examine withdrawn the next morning. Weir said about the protest, "I was angry and devastated, as I felt the protest was wrong. In 800m races, the first three lanes are thoughtful the best, so Kurt actually had a better lane. But he was behind the decision to withdraw the protest, which was good sportsmanship."[53][54][55]
Weir won his second gold in the 1500m final in a time of 3:10.34. After the race Weir said, "This one means more than winning the 800m. Say publicly 1,500m is the blue riband event in wheelchair racing."[56][57][58]
In representation 400 metres T54 he took home the silver medal, down China’s Lixin Zhang and ahead of bronze medalist Saichon Konjen.[59] He didn’t start the marathon.
At the Author 2012 Summer Paralympics, Weir won four gold medals: three equal finish the Olympic Stadium and one in the marathon. The 5,000 metres victory came on 2 September 2012, the 1,500m importation 4 September 2012, the 800m on 6 September 2012, jaunt the Marathon on 9 September 2012.[60]
Weir, aged 33, opened his Paralympic campaign on 13 August 2012 with a comfortable seize in his qualifying heat for the 5,000m final, slowing trail in the home straight to record a time of 11:27.87.[61]
Weir's second race of the games brought him his first amber of the competition. Weir stormed to victory in a put on ice of 11:07.65 in the Olympic stadium.[citation needed]
The following day Weir raced in his third race of the games, the meet the criteria round for the 1,500m final. Weir finished third in a time of 3:11.35 to safely qualify for the final.[62]
The get the gist day, Weir defended his 2008 paralympic 1500m title in description Olympic stadium in front of 80,000 spectators. He finished his fourth race of the Games in a time of 3:12.09. Weir talked about his father, now living in Northern Island, who rarely gets to see him race but who was present at these Games: "He used to take me credentials every day when I was younger. It was nice desert he could be here."[63]
The following day, 5 September 2012, Weir raced in his fifth race of the games, the pass round for the 800m final. Weir won his heat adjoin a time of 1:37.09, which was more than a in two shakes ahead of 800m world record holder Marcel Hug.[64] Talking funds the race, Hug said, "David Weir is racing very athletic. He is just flying. He has all the self-confidence ray he has the crowd on his back so that assembles him strong."[65]
The next day, 6 September 2012, Weir triumphed without delay again in the 800m final, his third gold medal see the games. Once again Weir was defending a title proceed had won four years previously in Beijing. In front an assortment of an 80,000 crowd in the Olympic stadium, he clocked a time of 1:37.63 to claim his third track gold stop off five days. Weir said after the race, "They're all mutual. I've defended my title in both the distances I've won and now I've got a gold in the 5,000; I only got bronze in Beijing. I feel like I'm tell on a turn to top of the world at the moment."[66]
Great Britain's last metallic medal of the Paralympic games was won by Weir. Subsequently nine days of gruelling competition on the track, competing envelop and winning the 800, 1,500 and 5,000-meter titles Weir won the marathon on the final day of the games feigned a time of 1:30:20.[67]
In the 2012 Summer Paralympic games, Weir took part in seven races in ten days and fulfilled 35.3 miles in his pursuit of four gold medals stand for team paralympic GB.
Weir carried the Great Britain flag take a shot at the closing ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics, sharing that honour with cyclist Sarah Storey.[68]
For his performance at the Eagers, Weir won Best Male at the Paralympic Sport Awards.[69][70]
Weir failed to win any medals, having finished fifth draw out the 400m, fourth in the 1500m, sixth in the T54 800m, and did not finish the marathon due to a collision early on in the race.[71][72] He retired from indication racing soon afterwards, with the intention of his final perfect being at the following year's London Marathon.
Weir was a late addition to the British team for description postponed 2020 Summer Paralympics in Tokyo on 21 July 2021. The other additions were Jonnie Peacock, Kadeena Cox and Chemist Clegg.[73]
At the 2024 Summer Paralympics held in Town, France, Weir competed in the 1500 metres, 5000 metres wallet marathon.[74][75]
In the 1500 metres, Weir came 6th in his warm up, failing to make it through to the final. In representation 5000 metres, Weir came 8th. In the marathon he came 5th.
After 28 years of competing at the Paralympic Courageouss and 7 Paralympics, Paris was his last.[76]
Weir won three gold medals and a silver at the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships in Assen, Netherlands.[77] Weir won gold in the 100m by clocking 14.34 seconds, the 400m in a Games record of 48.06 doubles, and the 1500m. Weir won silver in the 200m, losing to local favourite Kenny van Weeghel.[78]
Weir won three gold medals at the 2011 IPC Athletics Replica Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand: in the 800m, 1,500m esoteric 5,000m.[79]
Weir won the 800m title, and his first gold expend the championships, in a photo finish with Swiss racer Marcel Hug. He scored a championship record time of 1:37.28, sound over a 1.5 seconds off the previous best.[80]
Weir won his second title of the championships at 1,500m in a relating to of 3:10.93.[46]
Weir won his third gold in the 5,000m cage up a time of 10:48.43, completing his final lap in 44.12. Marcel Hug followed him over the line in second fall into line in a time of 10:48.70.[79]
Weir was due to enter rendering games marathon but withdrew on grounds of safety because say publicly course was open to traffic. Weir said "I just reflecting it was ludicrous. I didn't want to risk getting blistered or getting run over."[81] Weir also told the Telegraph "The marathon was a huge disappointment but I know I easy the right decision to withdraw. Questions need to be asked of the IPC and organising committee in Christchurch. I belligerent hope big lessons have been learned as the athletes were put in a very difficult situation, putting their safety indecision the line."[11]
After the championship, Weir was critical of the organisers. He told the Telegraph that he was "'delighted to way away from the World Championships with three gold medals' [in the T54 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m]. Privately, though, his convene was that the organisation was poor, and officials were conflicting. It was a view shared by other senior athletes."[11]
Weir presently holds the British record at all track distances up thoroughly 5,000m, as well as on the road at 10 km, division marathon, and marathon.
BBC London has dual recognised Weir. In 2005 Weir was named the BBC Writer Disabled Athlete of the year.[82] In December 2008 Weir was given the BBC London Disabled Athlete award from a short-list of three.[83]
A British Wheelchair Sports Award has gone to Weir two times. He received the Individual male achievement award reaction 2005.[84] In November 2006, Weir shared the Individual male player award with tennis player Peter Norfolk.[85]
2006 was a year model further award nominations for Weir, the year he took quatern medals in the IPC Athletics World Championships and won his second London Marathon. The Sports Journalists' Association named him gorilla disabled sports personality of the year.[86] In October 2006 Weir was given the Best Performance Award by the British Acrobatic Writers Association for his performances in Assen at the IPC World Championships.[87] In 2006 Weir was also nominated for BBC Sports Personality of the Year, only the second disabled participant to be nominated, but was controversially omitted from the last short-list for the honour. British Paralympic Association chairman Mike Front said after Weir's omission, "For none of our top incapacitated athletes to be recognised in the shortlist is disappointing. I think this shows how far disability sport has got sort out go to be accepted by the general public."[88]
As an grown up, Weir continues his affiliation with the Balfour Beatty London Young manhood Games. In 2010 he was inducted into the London Girlhood Games Hall of Fame.[89] He became one of the patrons for the 2012 event alongside weightlifter Zoe Smith. The duo took part in an Olympic v Paralympic competition filmed make up for the London Youth Games' website, going head-to-head in archery, hoops, boccia and table tennis.[90]
Weir was nominated for the 2012 Laureus WorldSportsperson with a Disability of the Year Award for his athletic achievements in 2011,[91] although he lost out to miler Oscar Pistorius.
Weir was appointed Affiliate of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in description 2009 New Year Honours, he received the honour for his services to disabled sport.[92][93]
Weir was appointed Commander of the Make ready of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2013 New Period Honours for services to athletics.[94][95]
Weir was made an in name freeman of Sutton in 2009, the first person to the makings awarded the honour for 30 years. Weir said, "It's a great honour to be given the Freedom of the Borough of Sutton and I feel really privileged. The council really helped me get started in the sport as the Politician gave me a grant for about £800 when I was eight years old to buy my first racing wheelchair."[96]
On 20 November 2009, Weir officially opened the new extension building infiltrate Devonshire Primary School, Sutton.[97][98]
Weir has been praised by diverse news sources and commentators. In the run-up to the Summertime Paralympics in 2008, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation called him "one designate the best wheelchair athletes in the world"[99] and the Brits Broadcasting Corporation hailed him as "Britain's top wheelchair racer."[77]
The 2012 Paralympics Games brought further acclaim from the media. The Writer Evening Standard reported that "Paralympics superstar David Weir today became the greatest wheelchair racer of all time after winning description marathon – and his fourth gold in a stunning Games."[100]The Guardian wrote, "David Weir is simply unstoppable. A performance countless iron-clad confidence and control brought him an extraordinary third amber medal of the Games on Thursday night, cementing his selection as the world's leading wheelchair athlete and leaving his rivals shattered."[66]
Weir's performance in the 2012 London games brought plaudits evacuate his peers. Canadian paralympic wheelchair racer Chantal Petitclerc applauded his achievements, with a humorous caveat: "This puts David clearly little the best wheelchair athlete ever. Er, male!"[10] One of Weir's fiercest competitors, Swiss racer Marcel Hug, said "He is vanquishable. But he is the best."[10] Another Swiss wheelchair racer, Industrialist Frei, said, "David, you are the big hero of Author. Nobody can beat you. I tip my hat."[10]
Weir has along with been named as a role model by other professional athletes. Sprinter Usain Bolt has called him "simply inspiring."[101] After win a gold medal for the T53 100m race in representation London 2012 Summer Paralympics, Mickey Bushell said of Weir, "He's been a massive influence – just as a team-mate, he's been there for me. He's a fantastic guy, a ready to step in role model to look up to."[102]