By XAVIER SMERDON
A WERRIBEE man has proved there is no obstacle too great, after he competed in his 25th Melbourne Marathon this month.
What makes Ian Gainey’s story even more amazing is the fact that since he contracted polio when he was two-years-old he has been unable to use his legs.
Now 61-years old, he has competed in two Paralympics and close to 100 marathons.
He also held the world record for wheelchair racing over 10 kilometres in 1986 when he posted a time of just 32 minutes and 23.70 seconds.
This month’s Melbourne Marathon was Mr Gainey’s last as he said he will be retiring from the gruelling sport.
“I love the Melbourne Marathon because of the challenge and the fact that it’s my hometown marathon,” Mr Gainey said.
“I feel like I’m a part of history having competed in so many.”
Mr Gainey first got into wheelchair racing after trying wheelchair basketball, and it has been a part of his life ever since.
“I couldn’t compete in able body sports so I thought I would try wheelchair athletics and see how far I could take it,” he said.
“When I put my mind to something I don’t give it 50 per cent or 75 per cent, I give it 100 per cent or I don’t do it.”
His athletic career has seen him compete in the Paralympics, carry the Olympic torch during the lead-up to the 2000 Sydney games, break a world record and receive a one-off Australian Sports Medal from former Prime Minister John Howard.
And while he would not rule out returning to the sport in the future, Mr Gainey said he felt like he had achieved everything he wanted to.
“Anything is possible if you set your mind to it,” he said.
“If you go into something half-heartedly you’re not going to get any rewards.
“I’m just proud and passionate about being a disabled athlete that’s achieved basically everything I’ve wanted to achieve.”
