INSPIRING TALES FROM OUR BEST

THE sporting talent across multiple disciplines that exists here on the Gold Coast is nothing short of amazing. At the Gold Coast Sports Star Awards we came across three champions, on and off the track, each an Olympic gold medallist. We asked the key thing that set them on their path to glory.

Curtis McGrath, OAM:

Gold medal para-canoe at Rio de Janeiro Olympics 2016. “When I lost my legs in Afghanistan I made a vow to be a Paralympian. Initially I started in outriggers and had some success but that event got dropped from the Olympics so I had to switch to a canoe. I had a fantastic coach in Andrea King who helped me adjust to a new discipline and after getting a silver medal in my first race I said to myself ‘I’ve got this.’ Then it was a matter of hard work, a great team around me and selfbelief.”

Sara Carrigan, OAM:

Gold medal road race cycling at Athens 2004 Olympics (above). “I was always so shy and never had the confidence to tell anyone that I wanted to win an Olympic gold medal. It was just something most Aussies would not say – we don’t have that ‘I am the greatest’ mentality of some countries. The turning point was my first big international meet, the junior world championships, and I saw the seniors racing and thought to myself that I really can do this. It lit an inner fire and it all came together in Athens.”

Glynis Nunn, OAM:

Gold medal heptathlon at 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. “Athletics was always my great love but I never imagined where it would take me. The turning point was when I was 16 and went to my first international meet. It was the 100 metres hurdles and I came last but I looked at the other athletes and realised that they had two arms and legs just like me. I really wanted to be part of their world so that got me motivated to work as hard as possible and be the very best that I could be.”