Portugal setback inspires Cairns Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson ahead of Paris Games as new challenger emerges

A Balkans-born teenage phenom will loom as a major threat to Cairns Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson’s dreams of claiming gold at the Paris Games in September — but the Tokyo silver medallist is determined not to die wondering.

A Balkans-born teenage phenom will loom as a major threat to Cairns Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson’s plans to claim gold at the Paris Games in September.

But the Tokyo silver medallist is determined not to die wondering with training “kicking into another gear” ahead of next month’s qualifying events in Brisbane.

Grant "Scooter" Patterson will head to the Australian Paralympic Swimming Team trials at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre in June, aiming to qualify for his third Paralympic Games. Picture: Brendan Radke

A less than stellar showing at the European Open Championships in Madeira last month is fuelling the Paralympian in the pool, despite a nightmare lead-in to the event.

Long delays, including in Dubai, forced the swimmer to sleep on cold sleet tiles under bright fluorescent lights while en route to Portugal.

“It was less than ideal,” Patterson said of the 72-hour trip.

“I was laying on the ground with a shirt over my head. I think I realised at 1am that we weren’t going to a hotel.

“I was trying to get some shuteye but it doesn’t work when you’re in a place that’s lit up like an operating theatre.”

Born with diastrophic dysplasia, Patterson is hoping his quest to claim Paralympic gold can inspire others. Picture: Brendan Radke

With just a day to prepare and acclimatise upon arrival, Patterson struggled early before snaffling a bronze in one of his preferred events, the 50m SB2 breaststroke.

“I was disheartened at the time (1:06) but looking back, I realised I went through hell and back just to get there, so I’m trying not to be too hard on myself,” Patterson, who was born with a rare form of dwarfism, said.

A new rival also emerged in 13-year-old Ismail Barlov.

Hailing from Bosnia and Herzegovina, the talented teenager took out the race with an impressive time of 1:01.15.

But with Patterson confident he can reach the sub-one minute mark in training prior to Paris, the 34-year-old said he still believes he can outpace his eastern European foe next time they meet.

“He gave me a whooping,” Patterson said of Barlov.

“But that’s the nature of the Paralympics. It’s always changing. Everything’s different. If you can’t adapt you may as well get out of it. There are always going to be new swimmers emerging.”

In addition to a full-time job, Patterson trains more than 20 hours per week under the keen eye of coach Herbie Howard. Picture: Brendan Radke

With coach Herbie Howard ramping up preparations ahead of the Paralympic trials in Brisbane next month, Patterson said he’s locking in on training while still maintaining his full-time job.

“We’re kicking into another gear now,” he said.

“More aerobics stuff, long-distance freestyle, short sprints with breaststroke, gym sessions, we’re going all out.”

Known to enjoy his “toys” during his down-time, Patterson revealed his quad bike, go-kart and boat are locked up in his backyard shed and won’t emerge until after the Games.

“I’m going to bed earlier, getting more rest, focusing on what I can do to be the best I can – or as the Australian swim team call it, ‘Dolphin ready’,” he said.

“I’ve only got about a month until trials and three months until Paris. I’ve been doing this for 17 years, it’s not hard to knuckle down for another three months and enjoy myself after that.”

A less than ideal preparation led to disappointing results at the European Open Championships in Madeira, Patterson said, but the Tokyo silver medallist is determined to bounce back in the pool, starting with the Paralympic trials in Brisbane next month. Picture: Brendan Radke

“This’ll be my third Games if I qualify, and hopefully that can inspire and motivate the next generation of swimmers to step up when I retire,” he said.

“You want to win but the bigger picture is to pass on that message, particularly for people to get out and have a go.

“I just want to let people know that it doesn’t matter what people think is wrong with you … if I can do it with my washing machine body, anyone else can have a crack.”

Originally published as Portugal setback inspires Cairns Paralympian Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson ahead of Paris Games as new challenger emerges