Weirwolf: My Story
By (Author) David Weir
Foreword by Lord Sebastian Coe
Biteback Publishing
Biteback Publishing
1st October 2013
United Kingdom
General
Non Fiction
Parasport
Olympic and Paralympic games
796.0456092
Hardback
304
Width 158mm, Height 234mm
"Cripple. That was the word that really used to get to me. I could take a lot of insults. But cripple ...That's the one that made me snap." David Weir was born without the use of his legs, and not only learned from an early age to cope with his disability, but defied his limitations to become a great wheelchair racer and national hero. Here he sheds light on his journey from frustrated schoolboy to Paralympic athlete and champion, and reveals how instrumental the 2012 Paralympics were in transforming attitudes towards disability - not only in Britain but around the world. Weirwolf is the extraordinary inside story of the man who won a total of six gold medals at the 2008 and 2012 Paralympic Games, and who is six-time winner of the London Marathon. It is an inspirational tale of the fight against discrimination and the desire to change the face of sport.
'David Weir talks candidly about his incredible and inspirational life.' Mail on Sunday 'Book of the Week' Independent on Sunday
David Weir was born with a spinal cord transection that left him without the use of his legs. At school, he was frustrated by the lack of activities available for disabled children, but his prospects were transformed when he discovered a talent for wheelchair racing. He has won a number of marathons, and has competed many times in world championships and at the Paralympic Games. At the London 2012 Summer Paralympics, Weir won four gold medals for Great Britain, taking his total tally up to six golds. He currently holds the national record for track distances up to 5,000m and road distances of 10km, as well as for both the full and half-marathon. In 2009 Weir was awarded an MBE for his outstanding contribution to British sport, and he later received a CBE in the New Year's Honours 2013. He lives in London with his fiancee and their children.