If I ever needed a reminder that fame and
personal glory were short lived, this was exactly the put down I needed…
Just over a week ago some of you may have logged
into your BBC Sport page to find an article on me on their front page right
next to the latest headlines for the World Cup. That was the day before I
was due to race 200m in a straight(ish) line to retain my European gold. Apparently
I even made the evening news and as a result was inundated with tweets and
emails from people who had personal experiences similar to mine and
felt moved enough to “find me”, wish me luck, share their personal pain
and thank me for inspiring them. The night before a major race this
was not the preparation I was supposed to be doing. But those who
know me will understand that hearing that I had helped others cope with
their personal trauma was perfect for me to go into race day feeling on
top of the world.
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| being filmed doing chin ups |
The BBC interview and filming itself had taken
place a few weeks prior. It had been an utterly bonkers day – a
camera pointed at your grimacing face while you struggle to do chin ups;
and a launch boat plus 'film crew' following you for an entire session on
the water, forcing you to struggle to keep “looking focused” for the whole
time!!
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| some of the tweets.. |
I was mildly curious about how the article would
turn out, especially when Jenna, the journalist, admitted that the people
at BBC liked me because they thought I was inspiring but also a bit bonkers! For those of you
who haven’t read it the link is here…
The race lake itself was about as bad as it could
have been. It was rough and windy – in fact if I could have
specified a set of weather conditions that I really don’t like, one that
plays against my physical weakness and lack of stability, then this was
exactly it. I didn’t care. Knowing that so many people were
behind me was such a fantastic feeling and I just couldn't stop
smiling. One of my competitors tried to put me off (I do find people
playing psych games funny) but what she didn’t know was that my ‘race’ was
already won. I did also happen to win the timed event, and was absolutely
thrilled to regain my European title in a world record time (woo hoo!!).
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| result! |
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| at the finish line |
Again my social media erupted and I wondered how
celebrities cope with all of this ... I kept getting stopped by people
asking me to sign their shirts or take a selfie with them. I was quite
thankful when I was taken into the closed off area to wait for my medal
ceremony. The weather was so severe that the ceremony dragged on with
regular delays. I was starving and also noticed how pale one of my
team mates looked… “I'm just so hungry”, he said. Looking over at my
parents in the stand I suddenly realised I might be able to help.
"Mum do you have any of your home made
biscuits?" I knew Mum never travels without her homemade ginger and
marmalade shortbreads and, true to form, she handed me a massive tub, full
to the brim.
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| Mums famous biscuits |
Back at the medal ceremony I handed out Mums
biscuits to all sheltering from the rain. German Officials in their
finery initially refused but little by little more and more people succumbed,
"mmmmm wow! These are incredible!!!” The Mayor of Brandenburg, big
wigs from the international Paralympic committee and international
canoe federation all tucking enthusiastically into Mums biscuits!
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| podium |
The next day, back at the race arena, I was
stopped by two men. So what was it to be, I thought, autograph or
selfie? In stilted English one asked, "I have heard about your Mothers
biscuits ... is she still here so I could taste zem please?”
I burst out laughing. Front page of BBC
Sports, European Gold and world record and to these German men I was just the
daughter of the woman who makes amazing biscuits, which is precisely how
it should be!
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| European gold! |
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