After finishing first in Men's Sprint (B&VI 1-3) qualification Wednesday morning, British cyclists Anthony Kappes and Bamey Storey are on their way to the final. They are expecting another gold medal, the 10th gold for British Paracycling team in this Games, which is an historical number.
In the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games Track Cycling, Australia was clearly in a dominating position winning 10 golds, so much more than any other countries'. Yet before Beijing 2008 Paralympics opened, Australian team manager Mark Russell Fulcher said that "The gap between us and the other teams is not that big." He mentioned Great Britain as "The British have joined the leaders, they are so strong."
His words have come true. In three and a half days, the British team has already won 9 golds, occupying the top of the list, followed by an Australian team with 3 gold medals. Six is an unreachable margin when it comes to the end of all the events in Track Cycling. Like their team in the Olympics, the British Paracycling team is enjoying a breakthrough.
What has led to Great Britain's miraculous success?
"We've been using the same facilities and equipment as the Olympic team," said Chris Hoy. "I can watch them training. So I can emulate them," Jody Cundy said.
"We have very excellent athletes and have excellent conditions. We keep training to be faster," said Chris Furber, the head coach of the British team.
"The lottery funding does help an enormous amount," Richard Waddon said.
How enormous? Just like a blank check given to you, buying everything you want without considering the money.
"The funding enables us to go around the world to question the best experts on carbon fiber, on aerodynamics, on things like that. And pull all of the ideas together to create the best technology. The skinsuit, the bikes and the wheels, everything is designed for one purpose, that is, riding fast on the track," said Chris Furber.
It is true that sport in Britain is funded to the best level, and probably better than any other countries in the world. So coach Furber really wants to give his thanks to their government for that. "Thanks for funding us in the way they do. We are very lucky."
(BOCOG September 10, 2008)