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Biography
Impairment information
Type of Impairment
Cerebral Palsy
Origin of Impairment
Congenital
Classification
RR3, F32
Further personal information
Occupation
Athlete
Languages
English
Sport specific information
When and where did you begin this sport?
He took up running at age five. He began competing at age 10.
Why this sport?
He felt the sport gave him freedom and independence.
Club / Team
Red Star Athletics Club: Glasgow, SCO
Name of coach
David McPhee; John Owens
General interest
Nicknames
Gav (Instagram profile, 01 Dec 2020)
Hobbies
Watching rugby union. (Twitter profile, 06 Feb 2021)
Memorable sporting achievement
Winning gold in the men's RR3 100m at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Twitter profile, 15 Nov 2019)
Hero / Idol
British Para athletes Hannah Cockroft, David Weir, and Richard Whitehead. (cpteensuk.org, 01 Jan 2015)
Sporting philosophy / motto
"Sometimes, you've got to find the best way for you to do things. It won't happen instantly, but you'll get there eventually - don't give up!" (cpteensuk.org, 01 Jan 2015)
Awards and honours
In 2020 he was named South Ayrshire Para Sports Performer of the Year in Scotland. (Instagram profile, 24 Jun 2020)
In 2015 he received a Trophy for Commitment to RaceRunning from Ayr Seaforth Athletic Club in Scotland. (ayrseaforth.co.uk, 11 Nov 2016)
In 2014 he carried the Queen's Baton through Rozelle Park in South Ayrshire, Scotland, ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (heraldscotland.com, 20 Jun 2014)
In 2012 he won the Young Scot of the Year Award for Sport in recognition of his international performances and his role in promoting RaceRunning in Scotland. (kyle.sayr.sch.uk, 31 Oct 2013; dailyrecord.co.uk, 10 Jul 2011)
In 2011 he won Ayrshire Sportsability's Young Athlete of the Year award. (kyle.sayr.sch.uk, 31 Oct 2013; dailyrecord.co.uk, 10 Jul 2011)
In 2015 he received a Trophy for Commitment to RaceRunning from Ayr Seaforth Athletic Club in Scotland. (ayrseaforth.co.uk, 11 Nov 2016)
In 2014 he carried the Queen's Baton through Rozelle Park in South Ayrshire, Scotland, ahead of the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland. (heraldscotland.com, 20 Jun 2014)
In 2012 he won the Young Scot of the Year Award for Sport in recognition of his international performances and his role in promoting RaceRunning in Scotland. (kyle.sayr.sch.uk, 31 Oct 2013; dailyrecord.co.uk, 10 Jul 2011)
In 2011 he won Ayrshire Sportsability's Young Athlete of the Year award. (kyle.sayr.sch.uk, 31 Oct 2013; dailyrecord.co.uk, 10 Jul 2011)
Famous relatives
His father Peter Drysdale has served as his personal coach. (ayrshiresportsability.org.uk, 30 Nov 2013)
Impairment
He was born with low muscle tone, which means he has difficulty with all muscle movements and his balance. He uses a walker and communicates with the aid of an electronic device. (kyle.sayr.sch.uk, 31 Oct 2013; south-ayshire.gov.uk, 15 Nov 2010)
Other information
DEATH OF COACH
He dedicated the gold medal he won in the RR3 100m at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to his former coach Janice Eaglesham, who had passed away four months earlier. "She would be so proud. Janice gave everyone an opportunity, regardless of impairment or ability. I couldn't have asked for a better person to guide me through the experiences of being an international athlete." (bbc.co.uk, 15 Nov 2019; glasgowtimes.co.uk, 01 Aug 2019)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has served as head ambassador for Cerebral Palsy [CP] Teens UK. (Twitter profile, 05 Oct 2019; cpteensuk.org, 16 Oct 2017)
He dedicated the gold medal he won in the RR3 100m at the 2019 World Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to his former coach Janice Eaglesham, who had passed away four months earlier. "She would be so proud. Janice gave everyone an opportunity, regardless of impairment or ability. I couldn't have asked for a better person to guide me through the experiences of being an international athlete." (bbc.co.uk, 15 Nov 2019; glasgowtimes.co.uk, 01 Aug 2019)
OTHER ACTIVITIES
He has served as head ambassador for Cerebral Palsy [CP] Teens UK. (Twitter profile, 05 Oct 2019; cpteensuk.org, 16 Oct 2017)