Ruairidh is golden boy:
Page 71
Lindsayfield cyclist Ruairidh Brown has made an impressive return from injury over the last fortnight, competing at the World Championships and claiming a host of gold medals the Special Olympics GB Games.
The 18-year-old, who was diagnosed with an intellectual disability at a very early age, sustained a broken collarbone last year after a nasty crash at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.
But he has battled back to full fitness and produced some fine displays, firstly at the World Championships in the Netherlands.
Ruairidh’s coach Tom A’Hara has been trying to involve him in a higher level of ID sport but the administrative body in Britain, the UK Sports Association, would not give him the necessary support to enter events.
Working behind the scenes, Tom found a way to get Ruairidh entries to this year’s World Championships as a guest.
With little preparation and no experience at this level, Ruairidh acquitted himself incredibly well, finishing eighth in both the individual time trial and the road race.
A’Hara was delighted with the youngster’s efforts.
He said: “Ruairidh rode superbly in the Netherlands.
“He was racing against riders with considerably more experience and the support of their national federations.
“To finish in the top 10 in both events, and to race so hard during the road race, shows a great degree of character from someone so young.
“Hopefully this will lead to further competition at this level and, with more training and a years more experience, there is no reason why Ruairidh cannot challenge for the rainbow jersey of world champion.”
Meanwhile, last week the former Sanderson High School pupil travelled to Sheffield for the Special Olympics GB National Games, this time racing for the Scotland West team alongside current Sanderson pupil Alistair Graham, from Hamilton.
Special Olympics competition is separated into ability divisions and Ruairidh and Alistair raced over the same distance but in separate divisions.
Over the course of three days of competition the pair raced incredibly well, both bringing home gold medals in all three of their events.
Ruairidh took victory in the 10km time trial, winning by almost a full minute, and then took comfortable victories in the 15km and 25km road races.
Alistair also won gold in his division of the 10km time trial and 15km road race.
On the final day, whilst Ruairidh competed in the 25km road race, Alistair took part in the 5km Time Trial and again won gold. They made a big contribution to Scotland West’s gold medal tally of 13.
Ruairidh, a gold medal winner at the 2014 European Games and two-time silver medallist at the 2015 World Games in Los Angeles, said: “The last two weeks have been incredible.
“I never thought I would get to race at the World Championships and when I saw the rainbow jersey at the opening ceremony I got very excited. I have a picture of it on my phone now to give me a target for the future.
“But I am happy with my results and hopefully will do better next time.
“At the Special Olympics I wanted so much to win three gold medals.
“I gave everything in the time trial and was really happy with my time.
“The road races were not as hard as the race in Holland so I was able to stay at the front and sprint at the end to win.”
He added: “I am really happy for Alistair. It was so good for him to win three golds as well.
“I will need to watch for him in the future.”
The next competition target for Ruairidh is the 2018 INAS European Games in Paris in July.
He will have to overcome the political issues with the UK Sports Association first to secure an entry but preparations will continue nonetheless.
The last two weeks have been incredible Ruairidh Brown