Portaferry’s James claims bronze at Paralympics

Portaferry’s James claims bronze at Paralympics

PORTAFERRY’S James Brown is returning home with a bronze Paralympic Games medal and a proud welcome from the seaside town.

The partially sighted 47 year-old made it six Paralympic Games medals for Northern Ireland athletes by taking bronze in the cycling tandem road time trial at Brands Hatch.

The Portaferry man just missed out on a medal last week when he finished fourth for Ireland in the 4k pursuit event and was also ninth in the men’s individual 1km time trial on Saturday.

James previously won two athletics golds for Great Britain in the 800m and 1500m at the 1984 Paralympic Games in New York.

In total he has competed in five winter and summer Paralympics incorporating athletics, cross-country skiing and the biathlon.

“I have a theory, in about 90 per cent of the races I’ve ever done you add the two digits of your start number together to get your position and that’s happened to me three or four times this year,” joked James afterwards, whose start number was 12.

He explained that the pair were riding a custom-made bike made in the US.

“We are riding a new bike, we opted for power rather than aerodynamics, and it really seems to have paid off,” he said.

James declared for Ireland in 2009 but has only been partnered with Damien Shaw since last Christmas. Since then the pair have delivered a string of notable performances — the highlight being a silver medal in the 4km Individual Pursuit in this year’s World Track Championships in Los Angeles in a record Irish time.

James combines his love of sport with running a social enterprise and a software company.

“The cycling is a different ball game altogether,” he said, commenting on the high organisational standards of this year’s Paralympic Games. “I’ve never worked in an environment like this where we have proper professional coaching and sports science and medical back up.

“In the old days it was a little bit more haphazard and amateur, but it’s much more methodical and professional now.”

Portaferry councillor Joe Boyle said residents were very proud of James’s medal.

“This was a remarkable achievement for James and well deserved for his effort and determination, having just missed out on a medal earlier in the games,” said councillor Boyle.

“Throughout the Paralympic Games It was inspirational and highly sobering to witness how these athletes and competitors were able to perform within their respective sports. There is no doubt that every competitor provided everyone with such amazement — their achievements were simply breathtaking.

“It is even more special whenever someone you know, from your community, reaches such a standard within their respective sporting code, at such a prestige event. It goes without saying that everyone is so proud of the achievements of James.”