I’d love to strike gold for my hubby after nursing him through cancer
Curler Angie reveals a special incentive
WHEELCHAIR curling has given Angie Malone an MBE to go with her silver and bronze medals from the Winter Paralympics.
But the mother-of-two from Glasgow would love to bring home the gold that’s missing from her gong collection to give to hubby John after nursing him through his cancer fight.
The Games get under way this weekend and the 52-year-old’s emotions burst to the surface as she recounts the brave battle her other half had to win before she could get on the plane to Korea with his health back on track.
She said: “He was diagnosed with throat cancer this year. Fortunately the prognosis is positive. He’s got the all-clear. But it’s been a tough 12 months. It’s been very emotional.
“So to be selected to go to Pyeongchang has been amazing. He’s not able to come out to Korea but he’ll be at home with the family watching.”
Malone is praying the fourth time will be a golden charm – 12 years after her first Winter Olympics in Turin where she returned with a stunning silver.
She said: “I was involved in a road traffic accident at Scotch Corner when I was 16.
“I was spinally injured to a high level which has left me in a wheelchair all the time.
“I was absolutely devastated. It turned my life upside down. I had plans to have a nursing career which I couldn’t then do.
“But I tried swimming, tennis, watersports and then at 37 I was introduced to curling through one of my friends. He was very persuasive on me joining a club and I competed for Scotland 12 months later.
“I used all my time and energy to practise. I work hard and put the hours in and I had fun at it, especially with my team-mates. It’s a blast.”
After winning bronze at last year’s World Championships the all-Scots quartet – skippered by Aileen Neilson – are desperate to go for a gold that will be kept in a special place in the Malone household.
Angie added: “Both my Paralympic ones are in a bag with a heated love heart.
“It’s all about the support and love I’ve received from family and friends at all the Paralympics I’ve been to.”