Ballito’s Dane paints Rio green and gold
"Being in Rio confirmed that the level at which para sport has risen cannot be underestimated."
After competing at the Rio 2016 Paralympics this month, former Ballito cyclist Dane Wilson landed on South African soil feeling proud and humbled by the experience.
“I went there with no pre-conceived expectations and just enjoyed the whole moment. It is incredible to be a part of an event of this scale, as everything is just done bigger and better!”
Dane said he was under no illusions that the level of competition would not be incredibly high.
“Being in Rio confirmed that the level at which para sport has risen cannot be underestimated. There are certainly no easy medals. We have witnessed the gap between ‘able body’ and para sport dwindle quickly, and in some sporting codes, surpass for example the 1500m race.”
He said he raced against himself as his goal was to better his own personal best time.
“I was slightly disappointed, as I was on track in preparation to better my personal best time in my main event, but it did not come through. Regardless, I know that I gave everything on the day and that is all that matters.”
This may have been because he was extra nervous about his wife, Paula, being in the crowd.
“For the first time in five years my wife got to see me race in a proper international wood surface velodrome. It was incredible to have her experience that moment with me.”
While there was not much time for sight seeing, they managed to get to some of the must see spots.
“We spent one day doing the tourist thing, just after my track racing was done. We saw what many deem a bucket list sight, Christ the Redeemer. We also enjoyed a bit of local Ipanema, and the infamous Copacabana beach for an afternoon. I did however get the feeling that we experienced a ‘protected’ view of the city, given the security levels and the current political climate in Brazil. The Brazillians seem to have a soft spot for us South Africans.”
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