Meet Ruairidh Brown, Special Olympics GB World Games athlete
'Try a little harder for a little longer.' This is the mantra that drives Ruairidh Brown's passion and commitment to cycling. As Ruairidh looks ahead to the World Games this summer, Special Olympics GB take a look back at where it all began.
Ruairidh, who has Dyspraxia got his first bike aged four, after it was recommended that taking part in co-ordinated physical acitivites such as swimming and cycling would help his condition. For a long time the stabilisers remained on the bike, but like many of Ruairidh's development characteristics, riding his bike unaided happened in an instant. His Dad Graeme remembers the moment like it was yesterday:
'He was riding along a playing field and I was holding the rear of the saddle but accidentally let go. Ruairidh was unaware and pedalled off. When he turned around and realised I wasn’t there, there was a moment of panic but a quick reassurance from his mum “keep pedalling!” and he was away. He has literally never looked back.'
Cycling is now an enduring passion for Ruairidh, with every free weekend spent riding around his local lanes near East Kilbride in Scotland. Even family holidays once spent with mum on the beach, now involve tackling the hills of southern Europe with Dad. On a recent family trip to Girona, Spain Ruairidh was fortunate to meet former professional cyclist Neil Martin, father of current Cannondale Garmin pro-rider Dan Martin. Neil offered some simple yet power advice, he said:
'The rider that wins the bike race is the one that tries a bit harder for a bit longer.'
Since meeting Neil, Ruairidh has carried that advice with him and gone on to achieve fantastic sporting success. After learning and developing his bike racing skills at British Cycling's Go-Ride accredited club, Glasgow Riderz, Ruairidh was introduced to head cycling coach at Special Olympics GB, Tom A'Hara. Joining the Special Olympics GB cycling programme has enabled him to continue racing and training out with mainstream cycling.
In 2012 Ruairidh joined the Special Olympics West Scotland Cycling Team and has competed in two national competitions and was also selected by Special Olympics GB to compete at last year's European Summer Games in Antwerp. Ruairidh's talent is plain to see, his current medal tally stands at four golds and one bronze at national level, and one gold and two bronze medals at the European Summer Games. However being a part of Special Olympics GB is much more than just winning medals for Ruairidh, he said:
'Joining the Special Olympics team has been really good. I have met so many people, made so many new friends and been to lots of cool places.'
Ruairidh is now counting down the days until the team head out to the World Games in Los Angeles, he continues:
'I can't wait to go to LA. I am so excited. I want to win three gold medals but I am really looking forward to making lots of new friends from around the world. Hopefully I will get to meet someone famous in Hollywood.'
Off the bike, Ruairidh's parents Graeme and Alison are delighted with the effect his passion for cycling has had on his school and personal life. He is performing well in his chosen subjects at school and also completed two successful work experience programmes recently.
Ruairidh is now focused on his final few weeks of training ahead of the World Games in July. He'll be training 'a little harder for a little longer' to make sure he heads to Los Angeles with the best possible preparation.
