Top Award for Neil Fachie in Aberdeen

Story posted May 14, 2010

Aberdeen’s sporting elite honoured at awards
Aberdeen's sporting elite were honoured at the City of Aberdeen Sports Person of the Year 2009 awards ceremony recently. The awards were presented to the city's most promising athletes of 2009. The Sports Person of the Year awards is made up of three awarding bodies –Aberdeen City Council, Chris Anderson Trust and Aberdeen Sports Council. The Lord Provost's Award for Volunteer of the Year will be given to the volunteer who has contributed most to sport over the past year.

Aberdeen Sports Person of the Year Neil Fachie with Leader of the Council John Stewart

Councillor John Stewart said: “This ceremony recognises some of Aberdeen’s top athletes. They have worked incredibly hard to excel in their chosen fields and have been a real inspiration to everyone interested in sports, especially our sports stars of the future. “I offer them my sincere congratulations on their efforts, dedication and achievements and thank them for representing the city so positively both locally and internationally.”

The nominations were sought from sports governing bodies, district associations, clubs and individuals, who were invited to name candidates who demonstrated particular sporting talent in 2009. Winner of the Sports Person of the Year was 26 year old ParaCyclist, Neil Fachie. Following a successful 2008 during which he narrowly missed out on both the 100m and 200m athletics sprint finals at the Beijing Paralympic Games, 2009 began with a huge gamble for Neil.

Despite being British Champion and record holder in many sprint disciplines, he realised he had reached his full potential in athletics and decided to try his hand at paracycling. He booked himself a trial at the velodrome in Manchester where he met Scottish Olympian Craig MacLean, who contacted British Cycling’s Disability Squad on his behalf and the whirlwind that was to become 2009 began.

Thanks to his commitment, drive, enthusiasm and hard work, along with the support of Barney Storey his sighted pilot, Neil has become the golden boy of British Paralympic Cycling.  Less than nine months after taking the decision to switch from athletics to paracycling, he was a double World champion and double World record holder. Second place was David Florence, 27, canoeing and third place went to Golfer David Law.