Meet Courier Country athletes going for gold in Rio.

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For the last three years I’ve been involved in para sports, this has been my goal. DEREK RAE

A Kirkcaldy runner who fought back from a near-fatal motorbike crash is one of four Courier Country athletes on the road to Rio.

Marathon man Derek Rae, who suffered life-changing injuries to the right side of his body in the smash in 2010, said his dream had come true after being selected for Team GB for his first Paralympics.

The Disability Sport Fife member will join his team-mates – boccia player Kieran Steer from Crossgates and para-triathlete Alison Patrick from Dunfermline – on the flight to Brazil in two weeks’ time.

Joshua Rowe from Perth will also compete in boccia.

Derek, a member of athletics club Anster Haddies, has required a purposedesigned sling to support his right arm since his accident, which affected his arm, ribs, shoulder, head and eyes.

“For the last three years I’ve been involved in para sports, this has been my goal,” he said.

“For it to be achieved is what dreams are made of. The three words I would use to sum up my selection would be honoured, privileged and proud.”

The Paralympics will mark the fourth marathon Derek has trained for with coach Ron Morrison from St Andrews.

“I know what I’m doing and if I go out in the best possible shape, all I can do is my best,” he said.

“Anything can happen on the day and I want to go out, try my best and enjoy the whole experience.”

Derek’s wife Susan is his biggest supporter and she will travel to Rio for four days to cheer him on. She goes to all my races and the fact she will be there is very, very pleasing,” he said.

In all, 33 Scottish para-athletes have been selected to compete for the Paralympics GB team at Rio 2016, representing 12 different sports.

Gavin MacLeod, CEO of Scottish Disability Sport, said: “We are seeing the highest number of Scots at a Paralympic Games since 1996 and we wish all 33 athletes and players, along with their coaches and support staff, every success in Rio.” cwarrender@thecourier.co.uk

sport: Athletics athlete: Derek Rae event/s: Marathon town: Kirkcaldy Picture: Dougie Nicolson. Marathon runner Derek Rae, 30, has seen his time over the 26.2-mile distance improve significantly over the last few years. At the London Marathon he has gone from running 2.44.43 to 2.37.28 in just two years. The Kirkcaldy man, pictured right, trains...