Kim Pham
5 September 2016: It's been four years in the making but University of Canberra student and sprinter Scott Reardon is determined to bring home a gold medal from the upcoming Rio Paralympics.
Reardon took silver in the men's 100m race at the 2012 London Paralympics and is determined to go one better in Rio.
"The London Paralympics was an amazing experience and made me realise I had some things that I would have to work and I had four years to get them right," he said.
"The dream has always been to win gold in Rio in a world record time, since I crossed the line in London this was always the goal and that is still what I aim to do."
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Double degree student and sprinter Scott Reardon will compete in the 100m race at the Rio Paralympics. Photo: Rodney Cowled.
Coached by Iryna Dvoskina, Reardon has spent most of the year on the road training in Sydney, the Gold Coast and in Florida before the big race.
He typically trains 20 hours a week including three track sessions, six gym sessions, three pool sessions and a Pilates session.
"The preparation to running fast involves so many little bits and pieces, regular appointments with biomechanics, nutritionists, physiologist and countless trips to physios and massage therapists all to ensure the body and the mind are ready to run fast," he said.
The 26-year-old competes in the T42 class, having lost his right leg in an accident at his farm in Temora when he was 12.
Reardon initially found success as a water-skier and won the world titles twice in 2007 and 2009. He took up running seven years ago as he enjoys the feeling of freedom it gives him.
"For a long time I was stuck on a walking leg that I could only ever shuffle around on, so to be able to move faster than a walk it was like I was free," he said.
"It felt like I had no disability, that I was 'normal' once more, and that's why I still love it. It gave me back a huge part of my life that I thought that I had lost forever."
Coming from a family of builders, Reardon's other love is using his hands and making things. He is currently studying a Bachelor of Secondary Education and Bachelor of Science at the University of Canberra and hopes to become a design and technology teacher.
"What drew me towards teaching was that I love to help people and I feel that I can make a difference to kids' lives, and what better way to be able to do this then in the education system?" he said.
"The ultimate goal is the give the students a skill set that they can always utilise into the future, but to also make them better people in their daily life."
The University's reputation as an elite athlete-friendly university and flexibility is what attracted Reardon to enrol.
"It really is a great fit as UC really understands the freedom an athlete needs to be a student as well as being an elite athlete, so it made my decision to study at UC very easy," he said.
The 2016 Rio Paralympics starts on 5 September.
Read about some of our Paralympic Games' representatives as well as our Olympians:
Matthew dives into Rio competition
Gracie gears up for Olympic debut
Roberts returns for second Olympics
