We sat down with Scottish wheelchair curler Gary Smith before he headed off to Beijing to compete in his very first Paralympic Winter Games. We covered his journey in sport, his transfer to wheelchair curling and what competing in the games means to him.
Early journey into sport
Gary was always interested in sport as a youngster, but attending a mainstream school there was very little provision for people with disabilities to participate in sport at the time. He was able to take part in table tennis which was his first opportunity to experience the power of sport and he was to experience more. It was a chance encounter at a function that gave him that opportunity, where he was invited along to try wheelchair basketball, a sport he had previously enjoyed watching on TV. Other than the blisters on his hands and fingers in his first few attempts, he soon loved playing the sport.
He was to play wheelchair basketball on and off for 20 years, but this took a certain toll on his body which he admitted was getting quite weary and he made the difficult decision to retire after further shoulder problems. He soon got involved in coaching, and as much as he enjoyed it he was soon missing the competitive environment of playing himself.
Transferring sports
With Gary still missing competitive sport, he was offered the chance to try wheelchair curling. With less physical impact than basketball, this was the ideal opportunity to get back competing in sport – he admits he was terrible at first but he soon learned the ropes and found a love for his new sport.
Being a competitive individual, he was determined to be ambitious and compete at the highest level he could though he admits he never quite dreamed of competing at a Paralympic Games saying, ‘getting to this level is an absolute dream’.
What makes Curling great and why should you try it?
Gary is keen to pass on his love for the sport on to others, and urges anyone with a passing interest to watch the Paralympic Games to find out why. He is keen to point out the team aspect of the sport, one in which creates a sense of real camaraderie between teammates which is crucial for the success of a curling team.
It is a tactical sport, and Gary enjoys working out the opposition moves and what they are trying to do. Gary plays ‘Second’ position, where he gets a variety of shot to play depending on the situation of the game.
Gary wants to encourage anyone who is inspired by watching the Games to get involved, as he is certain they won’t regret it. He points to the many opportunities that there are to get involved in the sport, even at just a recreational level through SDS and is certain that once people give it a go, they won’t look back. He also reminds those who want to give curling a go to wrap up warm, it is a winter sport after all!
Selection for Beijing
Gary was called up to the ParalympicsGB squad as a late replacement for Charlotte McKenna, who was unfortunate to pull out of the squad through injury. He had ambitions to compete in a Paralympic Games however due to some medical issues he believed his chance had gone on this occasion. With an operation required and a period of recuperation following it necessary, this was to drag on due to COVID and whilst getting to Beijing was a ‘long-shot’, he never gave up on his dream and was determined to stay fit and in with a fighting chance of selection.
With the operation and recovery his main concern, he was more than willing to join the team if needed, but he admits his focus had shifted on to the next cycle, however due to the injury to his teammate, he was drafted in at late notice to realise his dream of competing at a Paralympic Winter Games.
He found out just as he was about to take to the ice for a training session, receiving a call from his coach where he was asked to come in and speak to him. Jokingly Gary thought, ‘oh what have I done now?!’, but on arrival he was told he had been selected. He described himself as ‘absolutely over the moon’ about being told the news.
Ambitions for Beijing
With the team in now in Beijing and ready to take to the world stage, Gary and the team have a positive mindset about competing well and putting themselves in with a shot at a medal saying, ‘like every athlete, we must look to go for gold and whether that happens or not you have to look to be as successful as possible and compete for top spot’. He acknowledges the competition will be incredibly tough, but believes in his and the squad’s ability to be in with a shout of getting on the podium.
He is also very much looking to enjoy the experience, realising that it is his first games and that in itself is an immense privilege, knowing he may not get another chance. He plans to soak it in and enjoy it, without forgetting the job in hand and is determined to have no regrets.
Gary’s story is a demonstration of how it is never too late to chase your sporting dreams, no matter what age and stage you are at. He is keen to promote the message for everyone to believe in themselves and give it a shot, whatever it is and you never know what may happen.
For Gary, this could be his athlete journey from struggling to get involved in sport at school to success on the biggest stage. We wish Gary and the squad the best of luck in Beijing.
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