Richard targets another gold run

® GOLDEN oldie Richard Whitehead aims to embarrass his rivals by winning a fourth straight sprint gold today at the World Para Athletics Championships.

Whitehead, who turns 41 next week, only turned to sprinting at the age of 35 after breaking world marathon records.

But he can add another gold to his collection today at the London Stadium, where he claimed Paralympic glory in 2012.

“If I was beaten by a 40-year-old, I’d be pretty embarrassed,” said Whitehead, who will compete today in the T42 200m – the event he won in 2011, 2013 and 2015 and at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics.

“I want the other athletes to be inspired by my performances.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the podium again.”

Whitehead has two prosthetics after being born without the lower part of his legs and made his name as a marathon runner.

Possible

But he moved to a shorter distance after being told his classification would not feature in the marathon at the London Games.

“I remember when I first had the conversation with the British Athletics performance director for the Paralympics, Peter Eriksson, and he said I was too old for athletics,” said Whitehead.

“Look where I am now. It shows anything is possible.”

Whitehead is looking for double gold in London with Monday’s T42 100m also on his target list after he was pipped by Australia’s Scott Reardon in Rio.

“I think I would have retired after Rio if I had won the 100m as well,” said Whitehead.

“In one respect, I’m thankful to Scott for giving me another year.

“I’m quite a strong, powerful athlete and I’m having to get rid of some of that power and get more technical. Hopefully that can help me in the 100m as well as the 200m.”

Other British medal hopes on day two include Hollie Arnold in the F46 javelin and Sophie Hahn and Kadeena Cox in the T38 200m.

Andrew Small goes in the T33 100m and Stef Reid will compete in the T44 long jump.