Blog
Well, today was the first day of filming, we met Sophia and Richard from the BBC at the Alexander Stadium where I was training that day, after setting up the radio mics and cameras I went off and trained while they filmed me. My Dad did a long interview with me training in the background, which I thought was very funny as he hates being in front of a camera! After training Richard set up some small cameras in our car and then piled in the back for a trip down to Draft, where I was having some modifications done to my race chair. It felt really strange at first knowing that the camera on the winderscreen was filming my every move while we drove to Draft. While at Draft they filmed Dan making a new harness rest for me. Then it was my turn for doing an interview but Sophia and Richard made me feel very relaxed. At the end of the interview my Dad came across and said that he had been Twittering the days events and Jim Hawkins from BBC radio Shropshire was interested with what I was up to. He then handed me his phone and in a casual voice said “Oh, by the way you are doing a live radio interview on the phone in 5 mins time”; cheers Dad! After the phone interview we arranged the next days filming with Sophia, which just happens to fall on my birthday! We all said good bye and thanked the Staff at draft for allowing the BBC to film there. |
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We arrived at The Aston Villa football club and were greeted by the EFDS chairman, who explained what was going to happen during the night. After a short while chatting to me and some of my team mates from Beijing we were shown through to the main room for the awards night. Myself and my team mates had to wait as we were going to parade. As we paraded in, the other guests gave us a standing ovation…. which was very cool! We were also presented with a small gift shown to the right in picture one, to say congratulations for our achievements in China. We had a lovely three course meal and it was time for the awards to begin. Dennis from the West Midlands EFDS had asked if I would co-present an award, which is a huge honour. I was to present the second award of the evening The EFDS Young Male Achiever. Myself and my co-presenter, April, from the Dwarf games where called to the stage. April thought it would be funny if she raced me… not only is she taller than me but she had to go and beat me too! As I got on to the stage I looked out to the crowd there were over 300 people - I think I was more nervous there than in Beijing. April read the nominations out then Matt from Setanta sports read a short Bio of each nomination. After that it was my turn to announce the winner which was so cool to do “and the winner of the EFDS young male achiever is "Alex Edmund”. Alex came up and I presented the award to him then we all made our way down for the photographs. Then came my turn. Sasha Kindred read out the nominations I was against two Cricketers, both very good athletes, one had played for England in the blind team, the second played for the physically impaired team. Sasha then said “and the winner of the Npower Male Sports Personnality of the Year 2009 is” (a slight pause)... “Mickey Bushell” ....wow…. I did not think that I was going to win this one! As I made my way up to the stage everyone was clapping, I felt very proud, on stage I thanked my Mom and Dad for all their support, and my College as well as they have been absolutely brilliant> We then moved off for the photographs and I did a few interviews, for Setanta, The BBC, and ITV and some local radio. Then it was off home for some much needed sleep! Photographs are courtesy of EFDS & NPOWER Thanks guys! |
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March 15th 2009 My first road race of the 2009 season, the adidas half marathon at the home of British motor racing, Silverstone. We arrived early on the Sunday morning so we could have a look at the course, it was my first time at Silverstone, I have seen it many times on the TV but being on the official start line was very cool, It may have looked cool but as I was soon to find out the course was tough. The wind was a big problem, no matter what part of the course I was on the wind always seemed to be in my face and then about 8 or 9k in, there was a stretch of loose gravel to contend with which didn't do my tires any favours. A fellow competitor Mark Telford found the gravel too much, and after a puncture had to pull out. AlI in all not a bad race given the wind conditions, I was reasonably happy to finish second. My Dad took a few pictures of me before and during the race. |
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Britain's Paralympians went to Buckingham Palace today to visit the Queen at a reception in our honour for winning 42 gold medals in Beijing last year. We finished second in the medal table, with 102 medals in all, behind hosts China. I arrived at Buckingham Palace at 5.30pm sharp and it wasn't until we drove into the actual grounds that I realised just how immense the Palace is, it was huge! As I rolled closer, I just thought 'wow', what an awesome building. Inside didn't disappoint either - everywhere the eye could see was immaculate with lots of gold blinging the place up. It was swish, just as you would expect. I had a great night meeting HRH The Queen & the Duke. It was very special. I felt honoured that they took the time to talk to me. The Queen was really lovely and she was more down to earth than I thought. I really enjoyed meeting them - I think the royal family ROCK! Opposite Equestrian Lee Pearson shares a joke with the Queen. |
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5.00pm, I started the Hope House Santa run - 700 santa's chasing me down the street with fake snow falling and everything. Surreal! 6.30pm, a mad dash to the BBC Midlands Sports Awards. A good turn out by our regional Paralympians. Eleanor got Sports Personality of the Year Award - WELL DONE ELLIE, just what we needed. The papers are saying what a wonderful role model she is; a young woman with a maturity beyond her years - clearly demonstrated in the picture, (lower right). That's Elli in the center, in between Nyree Lewis and me. Back row is Sacha Kindred and Ricky Balshaw. Re the three swimmers.... I don't know, maybe something in the water at Beijing? Big respect to the undefeated Lee Pearson with 9 Golds now (3 in Beijing) taking the Disabled Sportsman of the Year Award. |
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The Lord's Taverners Xmas lunch sponsored by Sky Sports - what a do! Hob-nobbing it with Robert Powell and Tim Rice (had the chance to see a show with Tim but couldn't go cos I had to train next day - damn!). Al Murray, 'Pub Landlord' did the turn - hilarious, Al. The dinner raised £125,000 - that's more mini buses and equipment to give young people a sporting chance. Well done LT and thanks for my award - the top pic is John Hooper CBE (LT Chairman) and James Haskell presenting me and Joe Bestwick with our awards. Middle is me with James Taylor of Diageo (the world's leading premium drinks business) - my Dad (Pete) and Promoter (David), were thrilled to be sat next to guy with access to so much good whisky! Bottom is Al in 'full stag mode'). |
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Great News today. Got a letter from Birchfield Harriers Club Chair, David Billiard - the committtee have awared me honorary lifetime membership in recognition of my Beijing success! Now I am a proud stag for life - thank you Harriers for all your support over the years which played a big part in my success. |
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Met Matthew Patten, the Chief Exec of The Lord's Taverners and Margaret Price, the Director of the Lady Taverners to chat about my Young Ambassador role assiting them to encourage young people to take an active part in sport. I was presented with a LT cricket bat and tie. I want to get the England team to sign the bat and have it framed. |
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Princess Anne arrived in style in a very smart maroon helicopter which landed on the sports field at TCAT. Doug Boynton, the college principal introduced us all to Princess Anne "This is Mickey and his family, ma'am, - Peter, Jason, Shelley and Chloe". Princess Anne shook all of our hands in turn and then asked me, "I believe you did rather well in Beijing! A silver - that's some achievement, you're a sprinter aren't you? Me: "Well, my best event is the 100m but I do all distances". Doug: "He has just completed the 'Great North Run' as well, ma'am". Princess Anne: "Good grief, are you one of these who once they're fit just keep going - you see I spoke to a runner recently, and I asked him why on earth he kept on doing marathon after marathon - and he said, well, once you're fit you might as well just keep going". We all laughed. Princess Anne: "How did the Great North go for you then". Me: "I came 8th, my time was abit slow but my training has been based around sprinting for Beijing". Princess Ann: "And are you local, do you train around here?" Me: "Yes, but I train In Coventry, Loughborough and Nottingham mostly, ma'am". Princess Anne: "Well, I must press on to my next engagement". With a very warm smile she said "keep up the good work young man". Me: "Yes ma'am". Princess Anne then turned to Jason "And are you going to be a future Olympian?" Jason said "No" She smiled and then commented on Chloe - how sweet she was and how amazing it was that babies will sleep through anything including the noise from the helicopter. She gave a quick wave to the crowd and she was away. I was very impressed that she had on Oakley sunglasses! |
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Great North Run half marathon today. It as a good race. Weather was OK. My time was 1hr 03mins - a bit slow, I need to do some road training to up my times after all the sprinting in Beijing. I raced for the Tony Bair Sport Foundation and met Tony at the start. My race top looked cool. |
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Photoshoot today at Critical Tortoise Photography for some promo shots. I was airbrushed with white paint and had a fake blood St George's cross put on my chest, arms and face! Crazy, but I think we got some cool shots. Haven't seen the proofs yet but here is a couple my Dad took....... |
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At the GEZE Tyne Tunnel 2K International launch in the early hours of the morning. It was muscle verses metal as I took on the horse power of the 1200cc Martin Conquest super trike driven by my agent David Burdus in a 1km dash to the belly of the river Tyne. The rules were simple: the trike could accelerate as fast it could but was not allowed to break the Tunnel’s 30mph speed limit. I could go as fast as I liked. Who would win? David left me for dead from the start line and shot to 30mph in a few seconds. I was a blip in his wing mirror and with no hope (or so he thought). But the 'blip' got bigger and bigger and unbelievably, I shot past the trike driver with 100m to go. I was clocked at 41mph in my alloy and carbon fibre chair - it was like a scene from top gear! Dame Tanni Grey Thompson was there helping out - she was brilliant with the camera crew . Also a big thank you to Ron and Tamsin at the Tunnel for letting us do the stunt. Got to bed at 5am! However, bonus was I got to have a ride in the back of the Conquest trike - awesome. Check out www.martinconquest.com. You can drive the Conquest from a wheelchair! |
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Arrived back in Blighty to a fabulous welcome at Heathrow terminal 5. The crowds were great and there was lots of press - I was overwhelmed at how many people had come to welcome back Team GB. My Dad was there - it was a bit emotional; he gave me such a bear hug, I thought my neck was going to snap! British Airways hospitality was brilliant - nice Business Lounge by the way. Posed for some photos with Shelley Woods who got bronze and silver. Also, I couldn't resist a race through the airport water feature with my agent David and his Grandson Callum. Then me and Dad headed off home to see Mum, Jason and Chloe. |
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Unbelievable - I did it! Silver in the T53 100m in a time of 14.86 seconds. I was 3rd in my heat and 5th fastest qualifier so I thought - "Wow, I am in the final so I am in with a chance!" I had the daunting task of taking on the world champion, Thailand’s Pinchet Krungget and the Paralympic record holder, China’s Yu Shiran but I was up for it. The weather conditions were bad with rain falling into the bird’s nest stadium which was cool, I love the rain. My heart was pumping and I got off to blistering start (thanks Fred) and at the 50m I was in front, ahead of Krungget and Yu and my biggest threat - Josh George. I was going for gold but Josh's kick for the line was awesome - man, he is fast. I was pushing for my life but Josh just had me by a wheel. |
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200m heats today. In my heat 2, I was in with the top 6 seeds! I finished 6th setting a new British Record at 27.85 and although I was faster than two of the qualifiers from heat 1, I don't go through to the final - well, that's racing. That said, I did hold Josh Gorge for the first 100m or so and I beat the world record holder Krungget so I am feeling pretty good about that. I have just gone through Fred's (my coach) plan and am now clearing my head for the next battle - that's me in the photo preparing! Bring on the 100m heats on the 16th! |
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Me, Louise Hunt (tennis player) and Brian Alldis went to the Birds Nest to watch Dave Weir race in the 400m. Wow - what a sight, the amount of people there was amazing - I think close on 90,000. Outside of the stadium you can hear the crowd roaring like a lion. When we got in there, the noise was unbelievable and when the medal ceremory was going on and China had won, everybody in the whole place stood and sang the athem. . Also saw Paralympic medals today - cool. I would be so proud to take one of these back to Great Britian. Check out the back - good to see braille is part of the design! |
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Unbelievable day for team GB! Dave Weir is cruising through his heats to reach the finals but the big shocker was the womens T54 5000m major pile up on the penultimate lap. I think the two Swiss athletes collided and half the field went down - arms, legs and bits of wheelchair everywhere. Canadian Diane Roy and GB's Shelley Woods dodged the wreckage to take gold and silver repectively but had to give the medals back cos the IPC said it has to be re-run on Friday! |
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Opening ceremony today. Talk about emotional! To follow out Danny Crates with the union flag infront of the massive crowds and loads of GB fans in the crowd was awesome - I got quite a lump in my throat. The fireworks were superb, there was an army of 'giant jelly babies' representing the spirit of the athletes from all over the world and performers gliding over my head. Truly the best show on earth! The Chinese people have developed and rehearsed this show for nine months and boy, it was some baby! Top that? They did - the Paralympic flame was lit by a wheelchair athlete who climbed the full height of the stadium up a rope carrying the Paralympic torch! The Chinese really are taking these games seriously - if Sir Ludwig Guttman who started off the Paralympic movement was still alive he would probably be bursting with pride. |
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First full day in the village and what a place, went out for a push with Pete in the afternoon - the roads are fantastic, staying at 25k easy with no effect. We pushed past the 'birds nest stadium' and the 'water cube'. All I could say looking at the architecture was "wow", I think they will be even better at night when they are all lit up. Can't wait for the opening ceremony! |
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The BIG travel day to Beijing!! When I was on the plane and saw Bj airport, it finally sunk in what I was going to China for - no pressure! The Olympic village is out of this world and huge! It’s great to see the rest of the GB team there and all the other countries. There’s only one expression for this – “mind blowing”. |
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Haven’t done much for a couple of days but a good training session on the roads this morning which was still hot even though it was 10.00am. Went to Hong Kong Island in the afternoon which was impressive to see lit up later in the evening. We went along the ‘Star Walk, I saw Jackie Chan’s and Jet Li’s hand prints. There were more but I couldn’t read the names – too long. |
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At last, first day training on the track in the morning sun - man was it hot. Within 5 minutes I had morphed into the ‘human waterfall of sweat!’. Doing good times though and hitting 32kph! In the evening (after a marathon shower), me and the wheelies (Brian and Dave), Pete and Erin went to the famous ‘ladies market’ - what a place it was, people everywhere and anything you could think of, they sold it there. It was huge, stall after stall after stall filled up with everything from fake Rolex watches to England tops. It was a great night. |
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Did my first training session out on the road using the local cycle paths for a 10km easy push and felt great afterwards! We had a bit of a problem with the chinese cycists who dont seem to look where they are going – one ploughed into the side of Pete Wyeman and then about 1 km later Brian had to swerve round a bunch of them on a corner, hit a bump and nearly tipped out. Fortunately, the rest of the session went OK and I got back in one piece. Shelly Woods has the quits...... told you the chicken was dodgey! |
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This was a rest day to recover from the flight so no training. Posed for a couple of photos - this is me by the Bj Olympic rings at the hotel. The food isnt great; the chicken is positively pink and not very nice. Hopefully it will pick up in the next few days. |
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This is me (far right), Brian Alldis and David Weir just before take off for the Hong Kong holding camp on 24th. Felt OK after the long flight despite only getting 2 hours sleep - never can sleep on the plane for some reason but I did get upgraded to Traveller Plus (nice one BA!) which was good because I could actually fit my legs in the wide seat without going onto a second – can,t do that in standard class skinny seats. |
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