Marcel Hug competes in the Men's 1500m - T54 heats at the London Paralympics
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Silver medalist Marcel Hug of Switzerland, Gold medalist David Weir of Great Britain and bronze medalist Saichon Konjen of Thailand pose on the during the medal ceremony for Men's 800m - T54 Final at the London 2012 Paralympic Games
© • Getty Images
There are very few athletes who can boast setting four world records in four days, all at different distances.
But that is exactly what the Swiss "Silver Bullet" Marcel Hug did between 24-27 June 2010, when at a meeting in his homeland, he set new world records in the 800m (1:31.12), 1,500m (2:54.51), 5,000m (9:53.05) and 10,000m (19:50.04).
No matter how many world records he currently holds, Hug would probably swap all of them though to add to the two gold medals he has won in major international competitions.
Having now competed in three Paralympic Games and two World Championships, Hug only has two gold medals, both in the 10,000m, from the 2006 and 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships.
Born on 16 June 1986 with spina bifida, Hug is the latest Swiss wheelchair racing talent following in the tracks of all-time greats Franz Nietlispach and Heinz Frei.
Hug’s first Paralympic Games were in Athens in 2004 when, aged just 18 years, he won two bronze medals in the 800m (1:32.66), and 1,500m (3:05.48). He also made the finals of the 400m and 1,500m.
Two years later he struck 10,000m gold (23:06.71) at the IPC Athletics World Championships in the Netherlands and also took home silver in the 400m (48.97), 800m (1:39.10) and 5,000m (11:20.68).
By his own admission Beijing 2008 was a disappointing experience. His best finish was fourth place in the 5,000m. He finished in fifth in both the 400m and 800m races, and did not finish in the 1,500m or the marathon after crashing in the finals of both events.
After a record breaking 2010, Hug was the man to beat going into the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand, an event which would see him compete in all track events from the 400m through to the 10,000m.
Unfortunately for Hug, he came up against Great Britain’s David Weir, a man spurred on by losing his world records the previous year.
In Christchurch Weir put on a tactical master class in the 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m to take gold ahead of Hug in silver medal position. Hug did go home with one gold medal after victory in the 10,000m (22:16.83), a race that did not feature Weir. He also took home a fourth silver in the 400m (48.16).
Weir was also Hug’s arch nemesis at London 2012.
The two went head-to-head in four stunning battles – 800m, 1,500m, 5,000m and marathon – and on home soil the British athlete was unbeatable yet again taking gold in all events.
Hug had to settle for two silvers, first in the 800m and then on the final day of competition in the marathon.
Going into the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France Hug will be 27 years old, and hoping that his best and golden years are still ahead of him.
By the time his fourth Paralympic Games come round in Rio he will be even more determined to finally land Paralympic gold.
