Roman Musil

Reading, listening to music, riding his bike, motor sports, watching TV, family, DIY and woodwork. (handisport.cz, 21 Oct 2009; paralympic.cz, 21 Oct 2009; Athlete, 23 Apr 2012)

Winning gold medals in both cycling and athletics events at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney. (paralympic.cz, 21 Oct 2009)

He owes a lot to his mother, who taught him how to ride a bike and strived to make his life as normal as possible despite his disability. He says going to school with able bodied children helped open the way for sport and leading a normal life. (daz.garten.cz, 21 Oct 2009; paralympic.cz, 21 Oct 2009)

"If you want to achieve something, you can. One must not give up." (daz.garten.cz, 21 Oct 2009)

He won a gold and a bronze medal in cycling events at the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney but has since given up cycling to focus on athletics. (paralympic.org, 21 Oct 2009; rozhlas.cz, 23 Dec 2002)

He has restricted mobility in all four limbs and has problems with balance due to congenital cerebral palsy and polio. He uses a bicycle, crutches or a wheelchair to get around. (rozhlas.cz, 23 Dec 2002; paralympic.cz, 21 Oct 2009; Athlete, 23 Apr 2012)

COACHING
As well as his own training he devotes a large amount of time to his career as a sports instructor, coaching children with disabilities. (daz.garten.cz, 21 Oct 2009)

TOUGH DECISION
The strain of competing at the top level in both cycling and athletics became too exhausting following the 2000 Paralympic Games in Sydney and he was left with the tough decision of which sport to focus on. He eventually chose athletics because the training was less intense and it was easier to manage potential health issues. (paralympic.cz, 21 Oct 2009)