David Weir, a British paratriathlete with six Olympic golds to his name, has said that the new Para Tri Series being launched today by fellow Paralympian Sophia Warner is a “great opportunity” for disabled people to have fun and take part in triathlon.
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Speaking to broadcaster Chris Evans on the Radio 2 breakfast show this morning, Weir – described as one of the best athletes this country has ever produced – said the aim is to get disabled people into sport.
“That’s my dream as well, I want to see people get involved in sport. As a disabled athlete myself, when I started I just wanted to do some form of sport. I didn’t think I’d get to elite level and it was hard to find clubs that did that.”
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The Para Tri Series will begin with a launch event at the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic rowing venue Dorney Lake on Sunday 9 August. It was created last November by Paralympian Sophia Warner, and will offer five different paratriathlon events, ranging from a ‘Sprint Para Tri’ for beginners (150m swim/3km bike/1km run) up to ‘Full Para Tri’ (750m swim/20km bike/5km run).
Further information, including how to register for the inaugural event, is available at www.paratri.com, with regular updates available on Twitter and Facebook.
Weir also said on the Radio 2 breakfast show this morning that he’s committed himself to racing both the Boston Marathon (20 April) and London Marathon (26 April) this year.
“I thought why not give it a shot now because it’s Olympic year next year and I won’t be doing it then, I’ll be saving myself for Rio. There’s a great opportunity to try and win both marathons in a week.”
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Weir has already won the London Marathon a stunning six times, taking 2012 gold with a time of 1:32:26 and equalling Baroness Tanni-Grey Thompson’s record of six wins. He also placed on the podium 11 years in a row before a fifth-place finish in 2013. In 2014 he came a close second.
For more info on the new Para Tri Series head to www.paratri.com.
(Main image: Teecefamily)
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