Ready for Rio
Archer Nathan takes aim
The Paralympic Games get underway in Rio — and there’s plenty of West Lothian interest.
Livingston lad David Porcher is part of the seven-a-side football squad that will be going for gold, while Polbeth’s Nathan MacQueen is a key member of the archery team.
And we’ll also be keeping an eye on West Lothian Triathlon member Alison Patrick, who will be taking part in the paratriathlon, and wheelchair basketball star Robyn Love, who began her career at Armadale-based Lothian Phoenix.
Nineteen- year- old Porcher, who plays for Lowland League side Preston Athletic, believes he can come home with a medal.
“I’m really confident we’ll put in a great account of ourselves. I really think we’ve got a great chance of getting a medal,” he said.
Team GB start their campaign in style on Thursday as they take on Brazil. They also face Ukraine and Ireland.
MacQueen (24) was paralysed from the waist down following a motorbike crash six years ago but will be on the biggest stage of them all in Brazil.
He only turned to archery after an injury ruled him out of competing at the Commonwealth Games as a powerlifter.
The archery competition gets under way on Saturday.
Patrick, from Dunfermline, has been involved with West Lothian Triathlon for a few years and is tipped for a medal after becoming International Triathlon Union Paratriathlon World Champion in Rotterdam earlier this year.
Love (24) began her wheelchair basketball career just two years ago when she first took in a Lothian Phoenix training session.
And the Ayrshire lass is now hoping to claim a medal in Rio after calling her selection “an honour”.
Team GB face Canada on Thursday before taking on Argentina, Germany, and Brazil.
Around 4350 paralympians will showcase their talents across 22 different sports during the event, which runs from September 7-18.
The West Lothian Courier will bring you all the news and reports from our athletes during the Paralympic Games.