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| Paralympic gold medallist Mark Colbourne a 'great role model' | Paralympic gold medallist Mark Colbourne a 'great role model' |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Cyclist Mark Colbourne has been hailed a "great role model" after he set a new world record to win Wales' first gold medal at the Paralympic Games. | |
| Colbourne, 42, who won silver in the C1-2-3 time trial on Thursday, claimed gold in the C1 3km individual pursuit. | Colbourne, 42, who won silver in the C1-2-3 time trial on Thursday, claimed gold in the C1 3km individual pursuit. |
| The cyclist, from Tredegar, south Wales, was congratulated by his MP Nick Smith and Disability Sport Wales. | The cyclist, from Tredegar, south Wales, was congratulated by his MP Nick Smith and Disability Sport Wales. |
| Colbourne was badly injured in the Gower, Swansea, in a paragliding accident in May 2009. | Colbourne was badly injured in the Gower, Swansea, in a paragliding accident in May 2009. |
| He was left with a broken back and lower leg paralysis after his paraglider fell to the ground from around 40ft (12m). | He was left with a broken back and lower leg paralysis after his paraglider fell to the ground from around 40ft (12m). |
| He underwent five months of gruelling physiotherapy just to learn to walk again. | He underwent five months of gruelling physiotherapy just to learn to walk again. |
| It is Colbourne's first Paralympic Games and he is already his sport's world champion. | It is Colbourne's first Paralympic Games and he is already his sport's world champion. |
| His gold medal success has been welcomed by a number of leading officials. | His gold medal success has been welcomed by a number of leading officials. |
| His local Labour MP Nick Smith said: "It's brilliant that Mark Colbourne, from Tredegar, was the first Paralympian to win a medal for us on day one of the games. | His local Labour MP Nick Smith said: "It's brilliant that Mark Colbourne, from Tredegar, was the first Paralympian to win a medal for us on day one of the games. |
| "Day two and he's got gold and a new world record - it's truly outstanding. Yet again the velodrome sports fans were cheering to the rafters. | "Day two and he's got gold and a new world record - it's truly outstanding. Yet again the velodrome sports fans were cheering to the rafters. |
| "Mark is a great role model for young people throughout the country. His courage and endurance is remarkable and he's an inspiring ambassador for sport." | "Mark is a great role model for young people throughout the country. His courage and endurance is remarkable and he's an inspiring ambassador for sport." |
| 'Fantastic achievement' | 'Fantastic achievement' |
| Jon Morgan, the chief executive of Disability Sport Wales, said Colbourne had put in an amazing performance to win gold. | Jon Morgan, the chief executive of Disability Sport Wales, said Colbourne had put in an amazing performance to win gold. |
| "In his first Paralympic Games he won Paralympics GB's first medal of the Games on day one, and breaks a world record and wins gold on day two. What can I say - a fantastic achievement," Mr Morgan said. | "In his first Paralympic Games he won Paralympics GB's first medal of the Games on day one, and breaks a world record and wins gold on day two. What can I say - a fantastic achievement," Mr Morgan said. |
| "He is such a down to earth person always looking to improve and learn and he's a joy to work with and follow. | "He is such a down to earth person always looking to improve and learn and he's a joy to work with and follow. |
| "In such a short space of time since he came into the sport he's become world champion and now reached the top of the Paralympics." | "In such a short space of time since he came into the sport he's become world champion and now reached the top of the Paralympics." |
| Professor Laura McAllister, chair of Sport Wales, said Colbourne was an inspiration to other athletes and the public because of his determination, but most of all because of his talent. | Professor Laura McAllister, chair of Sport Wales, said Colbourne was an inspiration to other athletes and the public because of his determination, but most of all because of his talent. |
| She added: "Winning two medals at this level of sport is some achievement and everyone involved in sport in Wales is so proud of Mark." | She added: "Winning two medals at this level of sport is some achievement and everyone involved in sport in Wales is so proud of Mark." |
| With Colbourne's gold Wales has won four medals so far at the Paralympics. | With Colbourne's gold Wales has won four medals so far at the Paralympics. |