Holmes Plans Christchurch Lap of Honour Regardless of the Result

Regardless of what happens in her races in Christchurch, do not be surprised to see two-time Paralympic medal winner April Holmes taking a lap of honour around the track at January’s International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships.

Holmes famously did just that with her competitors after winning the 100m T44 at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games and is considering doing the same in New Zealand. The 37 year old American who will be defending the 100m and 200m world titles she won four years ago is a firm believer in demonstrating athlete appreciation towards Paralympic Sport supporters.

“One of the things that I tried to do after the race when I was in Beijing was to get the entire field of women that had run to take a lap of honour with me,” Holmes told www.paralympic.org, the IPC’s website.

“Even though I had won the gold medal, I wanted all of them to take a victory lap to thank the people for coming out and supporting us and cheering for us.

“I think it’s important for us to have people in the stands cheering for us and supporting us because I think it sends a message about people with disabilities,” she added.

Holmes, who was injured in a train accident in January 2001 and had to have her lower left leg amputated below the knee, believes the passionate crowds in Beijing helped inspire the athletes and leave a lasting legacy. She now hopes the same will happen in Christchurch.

April Holmes said: “It’s just great when we have a full stadium and so many people come out.

“When we arrived in Beijing we learned that a lot of people with a disability were not seen out and about. You didn’t see very many people in the city with a disability.

“Due to the Games everything was made more accessible of course, and that allowed residents of the country to come out and be able to get around in wheelchairs.

“We inspired a nation and a world of people. To think that’s something we continue to do everyday I think is pretty remarkable,” she added.

Ever since her accident in 2001, Holmes has always targeted winning gold in major competitions. She is driven on by her coach Al Joyner, an Olympic gold medallist in the triple jump, who she trains with five times a week.

In her first major competition, the 2002 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lille, France, she won silver in the 100m. Two years later at the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games she picked up another medal, this time a bronze in the long jump.

Her first taste of gold came in 2006 at the World Championships in Assen, the Netherlands, when she won both the 100m and 200m. This was followed by the 100m Paralympic gold in 2008.

And despite her success and the likelihood of winning more gold medals in Christchurch, Holmes remains one of the most down to earth and popular athletes on the international circuit.

“Just knowing that I have so many people to inspire helps,” said Holmes who is the first female athlete to join the famous Team Jordan Roster.

“I just love going into schools, visiting kids and doing community service.

“I have a foundation which also helps people with disabilities so as long as I know that there are many more people that I can help, then I think that helps me stay kind of grounded.”

April Holmes will be one of more than 1,000 athletes from over 70 countries competing in January’s IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch New Zealand, the biggest ever to take place.

Other big names lining up alongside Holmes in the biggest international gathering of athletes before London 2012 include South Africa’s ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius, Irish sprinter and ‘Fastest Paralympian on the Planet’ Jason Smyth and the Brazilian sprinting duo of Terezinha Guilhermina and Lucas Prado.