McGrath wins Paralympic gold in front of mates who saved his life

Paris: Curtis McGrath wins Paralympic gold medals for fun these days.

The Australian star picked up another one on Saturday in Paris in the men’s 200-metre kayak single final (KL2), his fourth Paralympic gold medal.

But this one meant a little more given the circumstances of his preparation and the people in the crowd.

At the Vaires-sur-Marne Stadium, about a 45-minute drive from the centre of Paris, were more than 20 of McGrath’s family and friends, including some of the men who helped save his life in 2012.

McGrath lost both his legs while serving as a combat engineer for the Australian Army in Afghanistan. He stepped on an explosive device that left him with horrific injuries.

As McGrath was being put on a stretcher and taken to a helicopter for emergency help, he famously told those near him that one day they would see him compete at the Paralympics.

Curtis McGrath takes gold on Saturday in Paris. Credit: Getty Images

“They’re all there [in the crowd] and were a part of that journey of recovery and rehabilitation,” McGrath said after his victory over Great Britain’s David Phillipson by 1.12 seconds.

“They’re the ones carrying my stretcher and putting the tourniquets on and literally saving my life. In the traumatic moment of that blast … they were with me and they’re still here supporting me and it’s very special.

“I’ve got some great friends there that I’ll have for the rest of my life. I think there were a few sore heads this morning, but they were here cheering, and they weren’t late this morning.”

McGrath’s mind has also been in two places while in Europe. In late July, McGrath and his partner Rachel gave birth to a baby boy named Monty but there were major complications.

Monty had a rare congenital heart defect and required open-heart surgery. Leaving his family in Australia, to chase the Paralympic dream once again, was one of the most difficult things McGrath has ever had to endure. Surgery was a success and Monty is expected to make a full recovery.

It hasn’t been easy for McGrath to completely focus on the task at hand.

Curtis McGrath in hospital.

“That was one of the hardest goodbyes,” McGrath said. “He’s doing well. They’re home now and watching TV. I’m very proud of them and what they’ve been able to achieve while I’ve been over here. It’s very comforting. I’m looking forward to getting home.

“Interestingly, I can’t do too much … apart from just be there and support emotionally and mentally my wife.

“It’s a great feeling to put all the work together and produce the result. I don’t really think about them in the build up … it’s more after the race. I felt the weight of them indirectly and I’m just so proud to produce it. It was a performance for them as well.”

Meanwhile, Australia picked up two other medals at the venue on the penultimate day of competition in Paris. Dylan Littlehales won a silver medal in the men’s 200m kayak single (KL3), while Susan Seipel secured bronze in the 200m women’s single Va’a (VL2).

“It’s a bit of relief,” Littlehales said. “It didn’t really kick in until I was actually standing on the podium there just before I got my name called up. I got a tiny bit teary just before stepping out. To be able to call myself a Paralympic medallist, it’s a great step in the right direction.”

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