The swagger from an Aussie star is getting attention from around the world after his scene-stealing exhibition in the Tokyo pool.
Australia has a new cult hero.
Queensland larrikin Grant “Scooter” Patterson has become a larger than life figure at the Tokyo Paralympics with his poolside antics and quickfire interview gags stealing the show both at home and to a global audience.
The 32-year-old won silver in the men’s 50m breastroke on Tuesday, his second medal in the Tokyo pool after earlier taking bronze in the 150m individual medley SM3 category.
He is returning home with golden memories and golden laughs that all of Australia has been able to enjoy this week.
The man, who has come to affectionately be known as “Scooter” as a result of the signature modified scooter he carries around, has diastrophic dysplasia, a form of dwarfism.
He may have taken silver on Tuesday, but he was still the centre of attention during the medal ceremony after he made the journey to the podium riding his trademark tricycle.
With some serious swagger, Patterson lived up to his reputation as the jester the Aussie team in Tokyo needed.
He knows it too.
Patterson told News Corp’s Julian Linden on Tuesday his phone has been melting down as he continues to make headlines around the world.
“It’s going nuts,” he said.
“I‘m very thankful for all the people back home that are supporting me but I nearly need a receptionist here to answer all the messages because I don’t like to leave people short.”
Just another classic gag, Patterson simply couldn’t help himself from throwing in the mix.
He has come along way for an athlete that missed qualification for the 2016 Paralympics in Rio.
Nine years after first competing at the 2016 Games in London, he finally has the medal that can never be taken away from him.
“To come away with a bronze and a silver at this comp is pretty special,” he said.
“I’ve been looking for a Paralympic medal for 13 years so to have a bronze and a silver, I’m over the moon.
“The Paralympics happen every four years, but this one is even more special because you have to wait an extra year, so five.”
He went on to say: “I’m over the moon to have finally achieved it.
“I’m living proof that if you follow your dreams long enough, they might come true.
“I didn’t care what medal I got.”
The Cairns local will also compete in the 50m freestyle S3 on Thursday, and 200m freestyle S3 on Friday.
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