How teamwork in Fife made Ben’s dream work in Paris

Wednesday 9th October 2024

Paralympic T20 1500m champion Ben Sandilands savours his medal moment in Paris (photo via Paralympics GB)

Super run lands Ben gold and World Record

Ben Sandilands claimed gold in stunning style at the Paralympics – and it was a special moment for a training group in Fife.

Coach Steve Doig guided Owen Miller to gold in the same T20 1500m event in the Paralympics in Tokyo three years ago.

To repeat that feat demonstrates a combination of a hard-working athlete, good coaching and brilliant teamwork by the whole group.

Morven Bruce headed to Dunfermline to find out more about the ‘team behind Ben’ and that double Paralympic success.

‘It’s not something we could have ever anticipated (double champions) before Owen went and won in Tokyo,’ said Steve.

‘To do it again, for Ben to win, it’s just an amazing achievement for the group,

‘People feed on other people’s success and see the hard work that members of the group put in, and it inspires everyone to achieve at the same level.’

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Photo by: imagecomms

Samantha Kinghorn picked up the top accolade when Scottish Disability Sport held their annual awards last weekend.

Sammi won the Finlay Calder Trophy which is given to the SDS Athlete of the year.

The Paralympic 100m champion won five medals in total in Paris with that gold supplemented by four silver medals.

Perth Strathtay Harriers won the Janice Eaglesham Trophy as Club of the Year.

In memory of the late SDS chair, Perth Strathtay Harriers were recognised for their strong inclusion programme offering person-centred coaching for Para athletes at all levels.

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Tags: Ben Sandilands, Owen Miller, Steve Doig