We’re golden for the Games, says champ
PARALYMPIC champion Curtis McGrath believes the Tokyo Games will go on despite concerns over the running of the event due to coronavirus.
Sports Minister Richard Colbeck has not ruled out pulling Australian athletes from the Olympics, set to be held between July 24 and August 9 before the Paralympics from August 25 to September 6, due to fears over the global virus.
Australian Olympic Committee chief executive Matt Carroll also said no one would be put in harm’s way.
Speaking at the Sports Gold Coast Awards, at which McGrath won a fourth consecutive Para-Sport Star award, the canoe para-athlete said he was confident the coronavirus currently gripping large parts of the world wouldn’t stop him from chasing more gold.
“We are not too far away from the Olympic Games first and then the Paralympic Games are right behind it,” McGrath said.
“Despite what is happening in the world I think the Games will go on in my opinion and we are all looking forward to it.”
The war veteran-turned athlete is coming off a successful 2019 campaign where he defended his two titles at the Paracanoe World Championships in Hungary, his ninth and 10th consecutive global crowns.
The 31-year-old will go for double gold in Tokyo and appears well placed to do so after taking out gold in the VL3 200m and silver in the KL200m at the Olympic test event late last year.
McGrath won the KL200m at the Rio Paralympic Games in a record time of 42.190 and will be the hot favourite going into the race.
Meanwhile, Gold Coast surfing legend Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew was also at the Sports Gold Coast Awards and voiced his excitement over having his sport locked in to make its debut at the Olympics.
“It’s beyond my wildest dreams and it’s amazing how far we have come,” he said.
“Steph Gilmore, Sally Fitzgibbons, Owen Wright and Julian Wilson will represent Australia at the Olympics, it’s really a dream come true.
“To think, I only missed it by 30 years.”