The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Fife’s own Paralympic gold medal hero Owen Miller is set for a huge welcome home as his former teachers at Woodmill High get set to celebrate his achievement.
Fife’s golden boy Owen Miller will receive a hero’s welcome when he returns home from the Tokyo Paralympics.
The 29-year-old claimed a shock gold medal in the men’s 1,500 metres, beating Russian world champion Alexandr Rabotnitskii.
And among those celebrating the Dunfermline man’s success are pupils and teachers at his former school.
Woodmill High declared the result of his debut appearance “brilliant news”.
It was a PE teacher who first noticed Owen’s talent and urged him to join a club. This he did and the rest is history.
Owen was one of three Fifers competing in this year’s Paralympics.
He joined marathon runner Derek Rae from Leven, and para-triathlete Alison Peasgood, who was born in Dunfermline but grew up in Loughborough.
Both Owen and Derek are members of Disability Sport Fife, where chairman Richard Brickley was delighted with their successes.
“We’re absolutely thrilled for our athletes,” he said.
“We’re over the moon that three athletes from Fife competed and did so well.”
Richard described Disability Sport Fife as being like a family.
“Owen has been with us since he was a pupil at Woodmill High School,” he said. “When he first took part in a cross country event we all stood back and said, wow!”
Meanwhile Derek, from Leven, finished the marathon T45 in ninth position.
It was the 35-year-old’s second appearance in a Paralympic marathon after he failed to finish in Rio in 2016.
Completing the race in Toykyo was a feat in itself for Derek, who is recovering from a back injury.
“We’re all thrilled to bits for Derek,” said Richard.
“He’s been injured during the last weeks and months of training and his performance was absolutely outstanding.
“Just to get round 26 miles was utterly amazing.”
The London Marathon medallist has been training as a para athlete for 10 years after injuring his right arm in a motorbike accident.
We’re absolutely thrilled for our athletes