The stories behind cyclist successes are often inspiring but especially so when the athletes in question are those defying the greatest of odds to get there.
On of the most recent examples of achievement in the face of great challenges comes in the form of Australian cyclist James Middlemiss. He was born with clubbed feet and underwent surgery and physiotherapy at an early age so that he could walk normally. He was a keen cyclist from the time he was 15-19, but took time off to focus on being a father.
Last year, at the age of 34, Middlemiss took up cycling again after realising he was eligible for the Paralympics.
With the help of his coach and sponsor, Garry Creighton, Middlemiss now rides 800 kilometres a week and has just won gold and silver medals at the Australian Championships. He’s now on the road to the 2016 Paralympic Games, with a very real chance of qualifying – despite his 15 years off the bike.
Unlike some inspiring cyclist camps – such as Cadel Evans – Middlemiss is not a household name. But his achievements so far show just how much someone can accomplish through commitment, planning and passion. To celebrate that spirit, here is a look at the stories of three very different cyclists that have also climbed some steep mountains to become champions of the sport.
Graeme Obree
Known as The Flying Scotsman, Graeme Obree was an unconventional cyclist from the start – even building his “Old Faithful” bicycle out of materials that included washing machine parts.
While some of his innovations in cycling design have been praised, others saw him disqualified from races. As well as controversy around his bikes and riding positions, Obree has fought to overcome personal challenges – particularly bipolar disorder.
But despite these challenges, he has broken the world hour record twice and was named the World 4000m Pursuit Champion in 1993 and 1995.
Mark Zak
Zak was part of the US Cyclist team for the 2011 Special Olympics, where he earned two medals.
Zak, who is autistic, had been cycling for six years when he went to Athens in 2011, and was also the youngest member of the U.S. cycling team.
According to US press reports at the time, Zak’s parents introduced him to cycling after he had issues playing soccer.
“He had flat feet and we were looking for a sport,” Zak’s father told FOX News at the time. “He gained quite a bit of weight, so it was a great way for him to start losing that weight.”
Zak overcame further problems that arose (including a fractured jaw due to a seizure he had on his bike) and in 2010 was chosen to compete in Athens by Florida’s Special Olympics program, which provides year-round sports training and competition to 15,000 children and adults with intellectual disabilities.
He went on to win gold in the 1-kilometer cycling time trial and silver in the 10K cycling time trial at the games.
Arielle Martin
Martin was set for cycling stardom from an early age, hopping on her first BMX at five and going pro by the time she was 16.
But that same year her liver was lacerated during a crash and, just two years later, she had two stress fractures in her lower lumbar that doctors thought would be the end of her competitive cycling career.
Martin, however, didn’t want to give up that easily.
“I didn’t want to let any doctor tell me I couldn’t do something,” she says in an interview with reporter Christie Poole.
Martin did recover, and continued to race while also studying education science at university. In 2008, at the age of 23, Martin was competing in the quarterfinals of the World Championships when she crashed again.
While it meant she missed out on qualifying for the Olympic Games, her friend and colleague Jill Kitner was guaranteed a spot on the US BMX Olympic Team as a result and said Martin was a huge inspiration.
Although Martin may not have any recent cycling wins to her name, her story proves champions are made in many different ways.
These cyclists had tough odds to face throughout their lives, but all four of the stories here offer inspirations and insights into what it takes to be a winner.
Whether it’s taking home gold, breaking a world record or overcoming injuries, these four athletes show that sometimes what people say can’t be done, really can be done.
Image courtesy: Thomas Nugent
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