Sam, welcome back to Talking Vision. Great to have you again.

Sam, welcome back to Talking Vision. Great to have you again.

Oh, nice to be back.

Oh, nice to be back.

Now, we had you earlier in the year around April time with, um, 100 K your way as you were making your way to 100km in your own time and in your own way, running, ambling along. Yes. Yes. And now we're back on a bit of an athletic theme as well as the Paralympics are coming up very, very shortly. In fact, as this goes to where it's kicking off overnight, our time. So. Yeah. How are you feeling? You bit excited. A bit nervous to see how everyone goes.

Now, we had you earlier in the year around April time with, um, 100 K your way as you were making your way to 100km in your own time and in your own way, running, ambling along. Yes. Yes. And now we're back on a bit of an athletic theme as well as the Paralympics are coming up very, very shortly. In fact, as this goes to where it's kicking off overnight, our time. So. Yeah. How are you feeling? You bit excited. A bit nervous to see how everyone goes.

The funny thing is, I mean, because it was a part of my life for so long, I always get this nagging feeling I should be somewhere else when I'm sort of sitting at home sort of doing all this, even to this day. I mean, I've been retired for longer than I've been competing, but it's still there's this sort of like nagging thing of should I be overseas or something?

The funny thing is, I mean, because it was a part of my life for so long, I always get this nagging feeling I should be somewhere else when I'm sort of sitting at home sort of doing all this, even to this day. I mean, I've been retired for longer than I've been competing, but it's still there's this sort of like nagging thing of should I be overseas or something?

And that probably, I guess that never goes away. And it's sort of. You feel like, oh, I should be out there. I should be running, I should be training, I should be practicing.

And that probably, I guess that never goes away. And it's sort of. You feel like, oh, I should be out there. I should be running, I should be training, I should be practicing.

And then I go and do it. And then I think to myself, no, I shouldn't be out there. Ouch.

And then I go and do it. And then I think to myself, no, I shouldn't be out there. Ouch.

Yeah. Oh my God. But let's go back to that. Tell us a few of those stories from your time as a Paralympian. There's quite a bit to tell. Quite a few achievements in there. But what sort of sticks out for you?

Yeah. Oh my God. But let's go back to that. Tell us a few of those stories from your time as a Paralympian. There's quite a bit to tell. Quite a few achievements in there. But what sort of sticks out for you?

What stuck out to me really is for something extraordinary that the Paralympics in general are. It is just full of such ordinary people. You've got people all throughout the time they're there, just like you or me, who have just been, for whatever reason, decided to give this thing a red hot go and train a little bit harder than everybody else. And if you have a disability, it's not necessarily easy to do a lot of things, but I've always noticed that those that do make it in the sport make it in inverted commas. They've just tried a little bit harder.

What stuck out to me really is for something extraordinary that the Paralympics in general are. It is just full of such ordinary people. You've got people all throughout the time they're there, just like you or me, who have just been, for whatever reason, decided to give this thing a red hot go and train a little bit harder than everybody else. And if you have a disability, it's not necessarily easy to do a lot of things, but I've always noticed that those that do make it in the sport make it in inverted commas. They've just tried a little bit harder.

And in terms of perseverance and trying and getting over the line and making those little improvements and hitting that ultimate achievement. You yourself are a Paralympic medallist, so if you don't mind going into a bit of detail, what was that like? That experience in 1992, in Barcelona, in the 800m and all the lead up and the feelings around that and how it all sort of panned out.

And in terms of perseverance and trying and getting over the line and making those little improvements and hitting that ultimate achievement. You yourself are a Paralympic medallist, so if you don't mind going into a bit of detail, what was that like? That experience in 1992, in Barcelona, in the 800m and all the lead up and the feelings around that and how it all sort of panned out.

Well, back then I was sponsored by Cheap Foods, which was a shopping chain in South Australia and the Northern Territory. And they had said, if you get a medal, then we will increase your sponsorship. And it was the last day of competition, pretty much. And I'd made the final of the 800m, and that was the one thing that actually finally stuck in my head, as I'd given everything in the first 600m of that race, I'd run the first 400 way too fast. The adrenalin had pumped me up. I'd gone through in 52 seconds, and I'd never run under two minutes before in my life in the 800. At that stage, and well, I'm a low B3, so I couldn't actually see what the time was when I went past. But the guy that was on my shoulder had and he'd sort of dropped way off. So by the time I got around to the 600m, I was absolutely spent completely and utterly exhausted. And so Christophe, the Frenchman, the Panamanian guy and the English guy all passed me in short succession. And I was thinking, oh, that's it. Fourth. But then, yes, seeking extra sponsorship came into my head and I thought, no, no, I'm not going to this is not going to happen. So I don't think I looked particularly good as I was going in the next 200m or so, but I pushed through it. And because the poor Englishman had been stupid enough to follow me in the first lap, he was just that little bit more spent. So I actually went past him and I was that exhausted. I actually gave him a mouthful of abuse as I went past him, but still managed to continue on and hold on for that bronze medal. And as it was, there was a new Australian record by a lot. And yeah, and it was good enough for a bronze medal. And as far as I'm aware, to this day, I'm still the only blind athlete in this country to have a broken two minutes. I'm sure it's been done outside competition or outside the official competition, as it were. But I still hold that Australian record, which I want someone to break, that it's been sitting there for God knows how long now.

Well, back then I was sponsored by Cheap Foods, which was a shopping chain in South Australia and the Northern Territory. And they had said, if you get a medal, then we will increase your sponsorship. And it was the last day of competition, pretty much. And I'd made the final of the 800m, and that was the one thing that actually finally stuck in my head, as I'd given everything in the first 600m of that race, I'd run the first 400 way too fast. The adrenalin had pumped me up. I'd gone through in 52 seconds, and I'd never run under two minutes before in my life in the 800. At that stage, and well, I'm a low B3, so I couldn't actually see what the time was when I went past. But the guy that was on my shoulder had and he'd sort of dropped way off. So by the time I got around to the 600m, I was absolutely spent completely and utterly exhausted. And so Christophe, the Frenchman, the Panamanian guy and the English guy all passed me in short succession. And I was thinking, oh, that's it. Fourth. But then, yes, seeking extra sponsorship came into my head and I thought, no, no, I'm not going to this is not going to happen. So I don't think I looked particularly good as I was going in the next 200m or so, but I pushed through it. And because the poor Englishman had been stupid enough to follow me in the first lap, he was just that little bit more spent. So I actually went past him and I was that exhausted. I actually gave him a mouthful of abuse as I went past him, but still managed to continue on and hold on for that bronze medal. And as it was, there was a new Australian record by a lot. And yeah, and it was good enough for a bronze medal. And as far as I'm aware, to this day, I'm still the only blind athlete in this country to have a broken two minutes. I'm sure it's been done outside competition or outside the official competition, as it were. But I still hold that Australian record, which I want someone to break, that it's been sitting there for God knows how long now.

Well, it might happen in 2024. We'll have to wait and see. Is that your pet event, the one you sort of gear up to watching every four years when it comes around, or every two years in the Commonwealth Games in that respect as well. But is that the event you're sort of really looking forward to, or there's others that pique your interest as well over the years?

Well, it might happen in 2024. We'll have to wait and see. Is that your pet event, the one you sort of gear up to watching every four years when it comes around, or every two years in the Commonwealth Games in that respect as well. But is that the event you're sort of really looking forward to, or there's others that pique your interest as well over the years?

Well, unfortunately, the 800m is not included for blind athletes at the moment. Oh, that's a shame. I think I think it's a B1 event, but the vagaries of international sports rules state that if there are less than six qualifiers in the event that the event gets scrapped. So this means that modern Paralympians can't specialise in a single event because their event may disappear. And this is exactly what happened to me in 1996. I was all geared up to absolutely blitz the 800m, and the 800m just suddenly disappeared, owing to a whole bunch of athletes being injured back in 1990s, which had this sort of rock on thing to the 1996 Paralympics. So that's something that you've got to bear in mind is sometimes you've got athletes competing in events that they haven't trained for all their lives, and you've got to be flexible. And that's why you're having this exodus to triathlon, for example, by certain other athletes. And that's why my friend Sam Harding is switched over to triathlon, because at least it's going to be there. At least you can train for it and it won't suddenly disappear on you.

Well, unfortunately, the 800m is not included for blind athletes at the moment. Oh, that's a shame. I think I think it's a B1 event, but the vagaries of international sports rules state that if there are less than six qualifiers in the event that the event gets scrapped. So this means that modern Paralympians can't specialise in a single event because their event may disappear. And this is exactly what happened to me in 1996. I was all geared up to absolutely blitz the 800m, and the 800m just suddenly disappeared, owing to a whole bunch of athletes being injured back in 1990s, which had this sort of rock on thing to the 1996 Paralympics. So that's something that you've got to bear in mind is sometimes you've got athletes competing in events that they haven't trained for all their lives, and you've got to be flexible. And that's why you're having this exodus to triathlon, for example, by certain other athletes. And that's why my friend Sam Harding is switched over to triathlon, because at least it's going to be there. At least you can train for it and it won't suddenly disappear on you.

That's also interesting sort of dynamics there for people who are totally blind, swimming and riding and how they'd get guided through and training and all that sort of thing. And that added element to it for people out there who might be wondering, how would that sort of work in a Paralympic context? Do people still have guides or tandems alongside them? If they are 100% B1? One. Absolutely no vision at all. What's your understanding there?

That's also interesting sort of dynamics there for people who are totally blind, swimming and riding and how they'd get guided through and training and all that sort of thing. And that added element to it for people out there who might be wondering, how would that sort of work in a Paralympic context? Do people still have guides or tandems alongside them? If they are 100% B1? One. Absolutely no vision at all. What's your understanding there?

A guy running has not changed since the year dot. One thing that has changed. So back in my day. God, I sound old when I'm saying that. But prior to the 1996 Paralympics. B1 runners in the 100m actually ran them in time trials. You'd have someone standing at the end of the 100 meter straight and yelling out four four as they were running in lane four, and if they veered off to either side, they'd either yell out 3 or 5, and that would allow the runner to correct themselves. In the 1990s, that changed to the same as everything else, with a with a guide runner actually running the event and having to synchronize block starts and all that sort of stuff. So it still exists. And you do see B1 events, alas. And this is something that we called attention to a couple of weeks ago, no B1, no totally blind athletes selected from Australia. And that's I think that's a crying shame considering we are blind athletes. And so yeah, if you are listening out there, you're young enough and you feel inspired, then get out there. Find yourself a guide runner and you know, give it a red hot go.

A guy running has not changed since the year dot. One thing that has changed. So back in my day. God, I sound old when I'm saying that. But prior to the 1996 Paralympics. B1 runners in the 100m actually ran them in time trials. You'd have someone standing at the end of the 100 meter straight and yelling out four four as they were running in lane four, and if they veered off to either side, they'd either yell out 3 or 5, and that would allow the runner to correct themselves. In the 1990s, that changed to the same as everything else, with a with a guide runner actually running the event and having to synchronize block starts and all that sort of stuff. So it still exists. And you do see B1 events, alas. And this is something that we called attention to a couple of weeks ago, no B1, no totally blind athletes selected from Australia. And that's I think that's a crying shame considering we are blind athletes. And so yeah, if you are listening out there, you're young enough and you feel inspired, then get out there. Find yourself a guide runner and you know, give it a red hot go.

There is a future for all of that as well, obviously. So we do want to see a lot of people getting involved. So that's super important. And you know, what's the best way for people out there to get involved and join a running club or perhaps an Achilles branch, or join an athletics club that's accessible for them?

There is a future for all of that as well, obviously. So we do want to see a lot of people getting involved. So that's super important. And you know, what's the best way for people out there to get involved and join a running club or perhaps an Achilles branch, or join an athletics club that's accessible for them?

Well, Blind Sports Australia still exists out there, and it's their job to look after athletes with a visual impairment. So you can go onto their website. They will give you a potted guide onto what things are available. But I mean, in theory, all athletics clubs, all sports clubs nowadays should be accessible. So if it's up to you, if you want, if you feel confident enough to get out there and say, hey, I'd like to run. And yes, you have Achilles branches now. And Achilles is a I've only just recently learned about this. We're trying to open up one in in Adelaide as well It works at developing able bodied athletes into guide runners. So if you feel like getting out and going for a run or something like that, you can contact your local Achilles branch. They can find you someone who can run with you. And the whole point is, well, is that person has to be just that little bit faster, a little bit fitter, so that all you need to do is sit back and run. They're the ones, they're your eyes. That's the whole general principle of it.

Well, Blind Sports Australia still exists out there, and it's their job to look after athletes with a visual impairment. So you can go onto their website. They will give you a potted guide onto what things are available. But I mean, in theory, all athletics clubs, all sports clubs nowadays should be accessible. So if it's up to you, if you want, if you feel confident enough to get out there and say, hey, I'd like to run. And yes, you have Achilles branches now. And Achilles is a I've only just recently learned about this. We're trying to open up one in in Adelaide as well It works at developing able bodied athletes into guide runners. So if you feel like getting out and going for a run or something like that, you can contact your local Achilles branch. They can find you someone who can run with you. And the whole point is, well, is that person has to be just that little bit faster, a little bit fitter, so that all you need to do is sit back and run. They're the ones, they're your eyes. That's the whole general principle of it.

Finally, Sam, we'll get in a little bit of an opportunity for some cross promotion. You've got a special coming up on Studio One shortly, all about the Paralympics. I'll let you fill the listeners in with as many of the details as you like, but yeah, that's coming up soon.

Finally, Sam, we'll get in a little bit of an opportunity for some cross promotion. You've got a special coming up on Studio One shortly, all about the Paralympics. I'll let you fill the listeners in with as many of the details as you like, but yeah, that's coming up soon.

We were actually considering just ignoring the things altogether, but the opportunity came up to actually present a slightly different spin on things. So what we are looking at are the athletes that came through the system over the years, might have competed at one Paralympics and then sort of disappeared again. So we are talking to three blind athletes who, yes three blind Three blind mice who started out at the well. One of them started out at the Seoul Paralympics and then went on to bigger and better things, as it were. As in marriage and a life which is all good for him. My friend Shane, who competed in the Sydney Paralympics and that was as a thrower and again went on to life and marriage and things like that. And yes, my friend Ed, who went on to be quite a successful public servant. So we're looking at how sport has actually treated them over the years and how it's actually influenced their choices and what went on afterwards. As I said, it's a slightly different, different approach because it's easy to look at elite athletes as some sort of Superman, but, well, none of them are. We are we have the same issues and sometimes it doesn't quite work out. So I thought this would be like a twist on on things that would give the listener out there an idea that of what makes us actually tick properly.

We were actually considering just ignoring the things altogether, but the opportunity came up to actually present a slightly different spin on things. So what we are looking at are the athletes that came through the system over the years, might have competed at one Paralympics and then sort of disappeared again. So we are talking to three blind athletes who, yes three blind Three blind mice who started out at the well. One of them started out at the Seoul Paralympics and then went on to bigger and better things, as it were. As in marriage and a life which is all good for him. My friend Shane, who competed in the Sydney Paralympics and that was as a thrower and again went on to life and marriage and things like that. And yes, my friend Ed, who went on to be quite a successful public servant. So we're looking at how sport has actually treated them over the years and how it's actually influenced their choices and what went on afterwards. As I said, it's a slightly different, different approach because it's easy to look at elite athletes as some sort of Superman, but, well, none of them are. We are we have the same issues and sometimes it doesn't quite work out. So I thought this would be like a twist on on things that would give the listener out there an idea that of what makes us actually tick properly.

Yeah, all of this sort of thing isn't necessarily a guaranteed income, as you've mentioned. It's, you know, not 100% guaranteed. You can sort of make a living off sport. Unfortunately, there's a lot of people out there and all that blood, sweat and tears and hard work behind the scenes. That's, um, a lot of the stuff, all the, you know, people don't really see on TV. So it's great to, you know, get those stories.

Yeah, all of this sort of thing isn't necessarily a guaranteed income, as you've mentioned. It's, you know, not 100% guaranteed. You can sort of make a living off sport. Unfortunately, there's a lot of people out there and all that blood, sweat and tears and hard work behind the scenes. That's, um, a lot of the stuff, all the, you know, people don't really see on TV. So it's great to, you know, get those stories.

Not only do times change, but people change as well. So, um, it's not an easy thing to qualify for international competition, let alone for for a Paralympic Games.

Not only do times change, but people change as well. So, um, it's not an easy thing to qualify for international competition, let alone for for a Paralympic Games.

Certainly not. Okay. Well, I've been speaking today with Sam Rickard, host of studio one and four time Paralympian here to chat to me all about the upcoming Paralympics taking place in Paris over the next couple of weeks. Sam, it's great to catch up with you again. Thanks so much for your time and hope you enjoy the Paralympics.

Certainly not. Okay. Well, I've been speaking today with Sam Rickard, host of studio one and four time Paralympian here to chat to me all about the upcoming Paralympics taking place in Paris over the next couple of weeks. Sam, it's great to catch up with you again. Thanks so much for your time and hope you enjoy the Paralympics.

I'll be watching. Yep.

I'll be watching. Yep.