Six months after being mugged in Rio, Scottish cyclist Neil Fachie wants to create some "positive news" at the Paralympics in Paris. Fachie, wife Lora, and her pilot Corrine Hall had their silver medals and other possessions stolen in March as they returned to their hotel on the opening day of the Para-cycling Track World Championships.
The Aberdonian, who suffers from the congenital eye condition retinitis pigmentosa, insists the incident "is in the past now" and that he and Lora, who is also competing, are fully focused on making their mark in France.
"It was my first time being mugged abroad, but it happens, so not ideal, but the fact we managed to get our selection for the Paralympics has made up for it," Fachie told BBC Scotland.
"We are here, it is in the past now and certainly it is something I am sure Lora and Corrine are going to want to put to bed here.
"I want to make the most of these competitions and not dwell on any negatives that do come about because they are irrelevancies when I look back on my cycling career.
"It was just something that happened along the way, the medals and things are what I am going to remember, not that, so let’s make a few more memories this time if we can and hopefully that involves a gold medal as well.
"It would be nice to show off those medals, put it on social media and have positive news rather than tweeting about muggings and things, which aren’t really what I am all about."
The Road to Paris
Fachie, who has won two Paralympic gold medals, is aiming to add to his collection in Paris. He and pilot Matt Rotherham are considered strong contenders for the top spot in the 1,000m time trial and the B individual pursuit.
"We go in as favourites, there is no denying that," he said. "We are reigning world champions, we have got the world record, we are defending Paralympic champions, so everyone is going to be looking to us."
The competition in Paris will have a new format, with a qualifying ride and a final, adding another layer of complexity to the event.
"That does change the dynamic of the event quite a bit but we have been successful with that change. It makes it more challenging, you have got to deliver twice now instead of just once.
"But we are in a good place, there is no reason why we can’t win gold other than our rivals are planning to come and beat us and are pretty strong and I am sure will do a good job."
Balancing Parenthood and Elite Sports
Fachie, now 40, is competing in his fifth Paralympic Games. He has no plans to retire soon, but balancing his athletic ambitions with family life has become a new challenge. His wife, Lora, is also a Paralympian and they have a one-year-old son, Fraser.
"Between the two of us, trying to train and childcare being as expensive as it is, we can’t afford to have him in nursery five days a week.
"We’ve got a nice system where he’s in a few times where we can come and train at the velodrome and then other days we are having to tag team essentially. Someone is on the bike where the other one does parent duty and then we swap over. It works pretty well.
"The thing I’ve noticed most is trying to recover when a very determined little man expects you to be jumping on a trampoline for three hours, it’s quite hard work.
"But equally, that has perhaps made me fitter than I have ever been because I’ve never spent so much time on a trampoline. It’s worth the peace and quiet to do it. It’s different but I enjoy it as well."
The Power of Rivalry
Neil Fachie's success is not just about individual talent. His rivalry with fellow Paralympics GB cyclist James Ball has been a key factor in pushing both athletes to excel.
"It’s the reason we are both doing well internationally," Fachie said. "We train together most days and any day you come in and are not really up for it, if you see James smashing it in the gym, you think I’m going to have to go hard again.
"No other nation on the male side has that luxury of having two world class athletes pushing each other. I think that is why we are doing so well.
"Since Tokyo, every event we have done, I’ve been lucky to win all the kilos but never by more than a tenth of a second, it’s been stupidly close. It’s essentially the flip of a coin.
"He’s aware of that and is obviously very hungry, I know that. I’ll happily keep him that way if I can. It’s all friendly until race day when we’re very much in our zone and want to go out and do the business against each other."
A Legacy of Excellence
Neil Fachie is not just focused on Paris. He is looking ahead to a potential future in cycling, possibly even competing in the 2028 Paralympics in Los Angeles. While he acknowledges the challenges of balancing his sporting life with family and career, he remains driven by the passion for his sport.
"I’ve not made a decision. I’m still enjoying my cycling, winning races. I’ll plan to carry on but four years is a long time.
"There’s other things I want to do, of course. But riding your bike at big events is special. There’s nothing like it.
"I don’t know how I can replace that with anything else. Other than taking drugs — which is not advisable from what I hear!" he said.
Neil Fachie's journey to Paris is a testament to his resilience, determination, and unwavering dedication to cycling. As he prepares to compete in the French capital, he carries with him the lessons learned from his Rio experience, a fierce competitive spirit, and a love for the sport that transcends the challenges of balancing a family life and an elite athletic career.
A Family Affair
Neil and Lora Fachie are not just Paralympic athletes, they are a formidable team both on and off the track. With their son Fraser by their side, they are writing a new chapter in their story, one that blends the highs and lows of elite competition with the joys of parenthood. It's a reminder that even the most demanding journeys can be shared, and that the pursuit of greatness can be a family affair.
