News

Training for paralympic gold at Brighton

Published 4 September 2012

Para-cyclist and University of Brighton alumnus David Stone has been using the university's expertise and sports facilities in Eastbourne to help fulfil his dream of winning gold at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

David is coached by Dr Gary Brickley, senior lecturer at the university's School of Sport and Service Management, and he started using the facilities at the university in 2006 as part of his preparations for the Beijing games. David said: "The opportunity to use ground breaking equipment and work with one of the best coaches has been really helpful. Gary has adapted the coaching theories to my disability in order to get the best out of me."

David won two gold medals in the cycling road race and the time trial at the Beijing Games in 2008 and is among the favourites for gold at London. Since Beijing, David has regularly added to his collection of gold medals at Para-cycling Road World Cups and, in addition, was awarded an MBE. David will be competing in both the cycling road race and the time trail at London 2012.

Dr Gary Brickley is working with three cyclists at the London 2012 paralympics. As well as David Stone, Gary is working with Sarah Storey and honorary Brighton graduate Dr Darren Kenny. Gary added: "They all live remotely; Manchester; Leeds and Bournemouth so we chat regularly on the phone or Skype and I look at their training diaries and power output production throughout the season. However, they do visit the laboratories at the School of Sport and Service Management for physiological assessments as they prepare for vital stages in the quest for Paralympic gold.

"We have some interesting work going on using altitude training, where I am able to set the altitude and the intensity for their training and track how they respond. All of the altitude training is carried out in tents or altitude chambers."

Dr Gary Brickley working with David Stone in the altitude chamber

Dr Gary Brickley working with David Stone in the university's altitude chamber