Breaking Down Barriers To Become A Champion

Michael McKillop decided to make ability out of his disability, breaking down barriers to become double Paralympic gold medallist. Read  and watch his story

Michael McKillop Q&A

What makes a champion?

A champion is just like a cocktail made up of lots of little things to create a masterpiece. My training is a key element to that and also having a very strong belief in my own ability. But it’s the team that I have surrounding me that makes up the rest of a champion. From my girlfriend, to my family and to my coaches and Paralympics Ireland, we all come together to be Team McKillop.

What does being involved in sport mean to you?

It gives me a chance to show my talent to the world and showcase the ability I have to perform at the highest level – regardless of having a disability.

Have you ever faced criticism, dealt with barriers to your success? (Eg:
bullying in the playground when younger). How did you overcome these? 

Growing up with a physical disability was tough as it was visible to the public. I stood out. I was different to all the other kids.

Yes, I was picked on at times, but I didn’t allow those words to affect the way I lived. I realized after a while that everybody is different and I should be proud to be who I am and own my disability.

Can you tell us how you first got interested in Athletics?

With my disability I was introduced to sport at a very young age as a form of physio. I got involved with running through my mum and dad, they were both former athletes in their time. My father was an athletics coach at a local grammar school which I went on to attend.
Did you ever dream when you first started out that you would be on the
international stage and winning gold medals for Ireland?

When I started athletics, I was competing against able-bodied athletes and saw myself as able-bodied. I wasn’t aware of Paralympic sport at the time so it was difficult for me to envisage being on the international stage.

At what moment did you realize, hang on – I can make a career out of this?

When I attended my first major championships at the age of 15 – where I won two silver medals – it hit me that I could improve on this, and my aim since then has been to win gold at every other championship.

Has there ever been a moment(s) that you have doubted yourself, lost
belief in what you can do?

Life has never been normal for me growing up as a Paralympic medallist. From the young age of 16 I have been expected to live my life as a world class athlete, I missed out on opportunities and experiences that every teenager usually experiences. With this I have found myself in dark places at times, trying to live up to people’s expectations. But with the support of friends, family, my coaches and most importantly Nicole my girlfriend, I
have got through this.

Your relationship with your mother was one of the moments that everyone
remembers from London 2012. Can you tell us why her presenting you with
your medal was such a special moment for you?

I never expected anything like that to happen during one of my medal ceremonies, when she walked out it put a massive smile on my face and made my heart beat a little faster. When she put the medal around my neck, I gave her a big hug it was a moment of reflection and relief. Through all of my mum’s hard work while I was growing up and my hours spent training, it was in that moment that we proved to the world that with belief and
determination, you can achieve anything. I may also had shed a little tear!

If you could revisit one moment in your career and go back and relive it –
what would it be?

I am still yet to find a moment I would like to relive, One I want to experience is to run at a major championships in front of my girlfriend Nicole for the first ever time.

On the other hand, if you could revisit one moment in your career and go
back and change it, what would you be?

I would like to change how I reacted after coming second in the IPC World
Championships in 2006. I was a 16-year-old teenager and didn’t know how to
react to and deal with disappointment. Thankfully I’ve learned with age

RIO 2016

How is your preparation for Rio 2016 going?

Things are currently going very well, me and my team have all the niggles under control and we are being consistent with my training.  Crossing the line in Doha at last year’s IPC World Championships, I showed to the world and the people in my category that even though it had been one of the toughest years training and injury wise for me, I could still perform under pressure and still be the best athlete I can be.

What are your hopes for Rio from a performance point of view?

Now that I am an established athlete, there is that sense of expectation to
win every race, but for me, I just need to go to Rio this summer and
perform to my best ability and do my country proud.

Some other facts:

Life after racing – what are your hopes for the future?

I want to become a well-known After Dinner and motivational speaker.

Who would you class as your inspiration and why?

My parents – they were the people who were faced with the challenges of
raising a disabled child. I fully appreciate how daunting and tough this
must have been. I owe everything to them.

Favourite quote: Believe and you will achieve

Best advice you have been given: Be happy and do your best.