dan’S ThE Man
words Jane williams pictures Steve Pope
as Welsh Paralympians
continue to storm the world stage,
it is reassuring to know that there returned
is plenty of talent waiting in the home with the
wings. Jane Williams talks to dan world title over the 1500m and
lucker. 5000m as well as four silver medals from
the shorter distances. in
No sooner than David Roberts and co have his 1500
drawn breath after their gold medal mission his talent certainly suggests he is name to metre s race
in Beijing, attention has already shifted to note for the future. And he also has the the same day. Fortunately,
London 2012 and the new crop of stars who back-up needed to help accelerate him to disability sport has moved on since
will be looking to make their mark. cue dan the top of his sport. then.
lucker.
He is coached by Paralympic legend Chris Funding from the Welsh Assembly
Still just 15-years-old, he certainly has the Hallam. The former World Champion took Government and the National Lottery has
credentials to make it. The Abergavenny medals at the Seoul and Barcelona Games. been driven into Disability Sport Wales at
talent has enjoyed a sensational 12 months It was his victory in the 1985 London all levels by the Sports Council for Wales. It
which has seen him win the Adidas Mini Marathon which captured the attention of a allows young talents, like Dan, to be properly
London Marathon. young Tanni Grey Thompson who was then nurtured and cultivated through an Academy
inspired to take up the sport. system:
It’s a result which staggered Paralympic
sport bosses because he beat 18-year-old “chris is a brilliant coach. he’s been there “ 'The Academy allows me access to the best
race favourite and GB international Mickey and done it – more than once! He knows coaching, facilities and support for me to
bushell by more than a minute. how to keep an athlete calm and he knows develop to the athlete I aspire to be .”
how to get an athlete to perform on the
But as the curtain comes down on the Bird’s day.” With an eye on London 2012, he was invited
Nest, and is set to rise in four years time on by the London Development Agency to
the East End’s Olympic Stadium, the speedy Hallam is a well recognised face on the track travel out to Beijing this summer:
wheelchair racer is determined not to get and is known for his fl amboyant race attire.
caught up in the whirlwind: He is particularly remembered for a leopard “I took part in the Torch Relay. I also got
skin racing suit. While his protogé seems to to meet some of the athletes at the British
“I do feel that people are looking forward to share the same guts and determination as his Embassy - Brian Alldis, Nathan Stephens, Liz
me competing in London 2012 but I don’t mentor, he doesn’t quite have the same taste Johnson and some others.”
feel pressure on me qualifying. I’ll only be 19 when it comes to fashion:
and there’s always 2016 after that. London’s In between training and competing, Lucker
defi nitely my target though. Competing in “I don’t think I’ll be wearing the same funny has his nose in the books. With his head
front of my home crowd makes it a much costumes. I don’t think leopard skin would fi rmly screwed on his shoulders, he knows
bigger prospect.” suit me! my racing chair is luminous yellow that he must keep up with his schoolwork:
so that stands out on the track – that’s
But Dan is by no means a one-trick pony. enough for me!” “I’ve got to get my head down and train hard
As well as the marathon, he also excels but I’ve also got to concentrate at school
on the track. at the dse National Junior In 1990, Hallam and Tanni competed at the and get my grades so I can get to University.
Championships this year, he took gold over Commonwealth Games in Auckland to
the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m and represent Wales in two exhibition races. “I’d like to go to UWIC in Cardiff – it’s the
3000m. Not bad going. They were given a single Welsh vest to share track I train on and so it would be helpful to
dan lucker
between them. go there.”
but the season highlight came in New Jersey
when he lined up against the best junior Tanni wore it for her 800 metres race before
SW
racers from all corners of the globe. He handing it over, unwashed, for Hallam to use
19
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SW_Issue4.indd 19 9/10/08 15:32:21
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