JohnBoy Smith, paralysed since being shot in the back as a teenager, won wheelchair marathon gold for England after David Weir punctured with the race at his mercy. The Gravesend-born champion wept in the arms of his coach at the finish line, then admitted: “The better man didn't win.
Pleading for his teammate Weir to receive recognition in the way of a knighthood, whilst also commenting that it was Weird that deserved first place, he added: "Dave got a flat, he had me. He deserves gold, I should have got silver.
"Your majesty the Queen, give David Weir a knighthood, make him Sir David Weir; that man deserves it." Smith’s win completes a rags to riches tale after his life was changed forever at the age of 16 by a bullet. Two men were later convicted.
When he left hospital he put in a call to Weir’s coach Jenny Archer who set him on a path which has led to glory - at the legend’s expense. Weir led by more than 90 seconds with six miles to go before a left tyre blowout ruined his hopes.
Despite his heartbreak the 43-year-old ensured he finished the race, as he gallantly passed the finish line in seventh. Speaking afterwards, Weir said: "I’ve not had much luck lately in major championships. My last ten weeks of training have been the best in years. I have felt like I was ten years younger. It’s frustrating.
“I was debating to bring a spare, I had never done that in a race in my life. I thought by taking one I might jinx myself. I should have gone with my gut. I’m from a council estate – and you don’t give up on anything. That’s why I kept going." The track was no doubt a gruelling test for those out there competing.
And this was noted by eventual champion Smith as he joked about taking the course designers 'to court to sue them' due to the sheer difficulty. "Whoever come up with that course, I seriously might take them to court and sue them!" He said. "I don't know what they were thinking but that was so, so hard."
