AILEEN IN SPIN OVER SILVER MEDAL
Cycling team notch up a personal best at Paralympics
CYCLIST Aileen McGlynn may have been knocked from the top spot but she sped off with a silver, adding to Britain’s already impressive medal haul.
As reported in later editions of the Evening Times, the former Paralympic B 1km Time Trial champion was pipped to the post by double world champion Felicity Johnson of Australia at the velodrome yesterday.
Aileen, 39, from Crookston, who is visually impaired, and her sighted pilot Helen Scott recorded their fastest time on a tandem.
But Aileen, who was the Evening Times Scots Sportswoman of the Year 2009, said: “I’m a little bit disappointed but at the same time I’m really pleased to win a silver and it’s good to have got a personal best as a team together. I’d like to thank the crowd for supporting us all so much,”
There is plenty more excitement ahead over the weekend. Scotland’s Libby Clegg and Stefanie Reid were competing in the first round of the 100m sprint today while Neil Fachie, from Aberdeen, was to race in the 1km time trial this morning.
GB will face Brazil in the preliminary football rounds before facing Ukraine on
I am sure Glasgow will lead the way by backing the athletes and supporting the Games
Monday. The Judo finals will take place today with Scot Sam Ingram hoping to medal while Gordon Reid, from Helensburgh, begins his quest for gold in the Wheelchair Tennis singles.
On Sunday the mixed pairs Boccia qualification rounds will begin, with the brothers Peter and Stephen McGuire, from Hamilton, taking centre stage, and Ayrshire’s Scott McCowan will also compete. Aileen is to race again in the individual pursuit.
Prime Minister David Cameron heralded the “biggest and best ever Paralympics” in what he called “the best year ever for British sport”.
He said: “I am delighted that the Evening Times is throwing its weight behind the Paralympics, and I know people from across the city will be cheering homegrown athletes, like wheelchair rugby star Mike Kerr, swimmer Andrew Mullen and cyclists Aileen McGlynn and Fiona Duncan. The Paralympics can inspire more disabled children to play sport, which is why we’re encouraging schools and sports clubs to be more inclusive.
“But it can also change our attitudes to disability more fundamentally by showing that people should always be judged on what they can do, not by what they can’t.
“If the Olympics made us proud, the Paralympics will make us even prouder.
“I am sure Glasgow will lead the way – by backing the athletes, supporting the competition and keeping fingers crossed for more medals to come.”
You can read about the success of prominent Glasgow Olympian, rower Katherine Grainger, and her joy at finally getting an Olympic gold medal in London in the Big Read on page 20.