WHITEHEAD Richard

Classification
T61 (IPC, 24 Feb 2021)

Type of Impairment
Limb deficiency (Athlete, 09 Dec 2010)

Origin of Impairment
Congenital (Athlete, 09 Dec 2010)

Impairment Details
He was born without legs. (Athlete, 09 Dec 2010)

General
PODCAST
He co-hosts the 'Track and Ball' podcast alongside English footballer Ellen White. The podcast features guests involved in elite sport. "The real reason we're doing this is because we feel that athletes sometimes are portrayed in a manner that is only performance. We want to really show athletes as real-life individuals that have personalities, that have private lives. But also we want to inspire and liberate the nation. Athletes, being successful in their own discipline, they realise that they've got responsibilities to give back to the public. We want the guests to really enjoy the podcast as well so we're doing a lot of research around those kinds of questions that they've never been asked before. I think what you find is, especially with me and Ellen being athletes ourselves, you always get asked the same thing. But those kinds of real questions that maybe you've never been asked before, those self-discovery questions, that are really important. So, for instance, with Rebecca Adlington [British swimmer] we talked a lot about the menstrual cycle and how the time of the month really affected her performance." (nottinghampost.com, 31 Dec 2020)

RUNNING ACROSS COUNTRY
In 2013 he ran 40 marathons in 40 days across Great Britain. He covered 1,572 kilometres in an effort to raise money for charity and increase awareness of Paralympic sport. (insidethegames.biz, 16 Oct 2013)

EMOTIONAL GOLD
He dedicated his gold medal at the 2012 Paralympic Games in London to his friend Simon Mellows, who passed away in 2005. "I run with what inspires me, and I did that for my friend Simon Mellows. Each challenge I am faced with, I know he's there looking down on me and kicking my butt whenever I need it." (guardian.co.uk, 01 Sep 2012)