Bicycling Australia
Chris Scott is one of Australia’s unknown champions. Originally a competitive runner, Chris broke his ankle playing seven a side soccer against the Netherlands in the early nineties. During recovery his doctor recommended he take up cycling and a new love affair was born. Diagnosed with cerebral palsy from an early age, Chris’ resume is one that any athlete would be proud of. He currently holds the world record time (3:32.94) for the 3000m pursuit, for an athlete with cerebral palsy category four. Chris also held the world record for 1000m between 2002 and 2007, but his time of 1:09:74 was beaten last year. One gold medal and one silver medal at the Atlanta Olympics was followed by one gold medal and one bronze medal in Sydney 2000. Plenty of people would hang up the bike after that, but not Chris. He later won three gold medals at the Athens games and is now hoping to be part of the Australian Paralympic squad for a fourth consecutive time. We caught up with the cheerful 39 year old and discovered a man who enjoys simple pleasures and is very relaxed about his achievements.What’s your motto for life?
Never Give Up. There’s always someone more disadvantaged than you are.
What did you eat for dinner last night and who cooked it?
Leftovers from the weekend BBQ and yes, I cooked it myself.
What would you choose for your last meal?
Some kind of pasta. It wouldn’t matter which, as long as I could have a glass of red wine with it.
If you could be a famous person from history, who would it be and why?
Don Bradman. Because of his integrity and the way he played the game.
The honour of the sport came before anything else.
Which cartoon character do you think you are most like?
Pepe Le Pew. Probably because, like Pepe Le Pew, I’m a little misunderstood.
Everyone thought he was a just a skunk, but deep down he was very romantic.
What has been the best movie you’ve seen recently and why?
Million Dollar Baby with Clint Eastwood. Firstly, because it was a sporting movie.
Secondly, because the main character had nobody to believe in her,
but she achieved what she wanted to in the end.
Even though she dies, there are still good things to be taken from her character.
What really grinds your gears?
Motorists who don’t look out for cyclists.
What’s your biggest indulgence over the past 12 months?
My biggest indulgence would be allowing myself to fall in love and being about to get married.
From a training point of view it’s an indulgence at any rate!
Do you own a suit that you paid for? Yes. It’s a blue pinstripe,
but I can’t remember the brand because it’s quite a few years ago that I bought it.
What’s your favourite sport outside cycling?
Easy. Cricket.
I’ve grown up with cricket, so cricket is number one and probably soccer after that.
Your favourite training route anywhere in the world?
The paralympic squad have trained a lot in Italy at a little place called Avezzano,
which is vabout one and a half hours from Rome. There’s a nice 40k loop there,
which has a 4k climb and a 4k descent. It’s one of the most beautiful rides I’ve ever been on.
There’s also a 330m outdoor track there that the Italian squad use from time to time.
Where do you think you will live when you retire?
Probably still in Brisbane. I’ve lived all my life here and I love it. It’s a city, but it’s also like a big country town.
