Two Chorley AC athletes Graeme Ballard and Michael Churm have recently returned from representing Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the recent IPC World Athletics Championships that were held in Assen, Holland. Michael Churm and Graeme Ballard both Cerebral Palsy athletes competed in the 100m and 200m respectively and were both involved in the 4 x 100m relay. Graeme (coached by Paula Dunn) was an automatic qualifier for the 100m final, coming second in his heat with a time of 12.69 sec. However in the final Graeme was able to keep his composure to come away with a Silver Medal in a time of 12.52 sec behind Hong Kong, China’s World Champion Wa Wai So, despite several false starts and with Britains Ben Rushgrove being disqualified. Shortly after his medal winning performance Great Britain protested over the disqualification of fellow Britain Ben Rushgrove, which placed Graeme’s medal winning performance in jeopardy as he was faced with having to re run the race. Fortunately after several days of consideration the decision was made, that the original result should stand.

The following day, and with there still being some doubt over the 100m final Graeme was faced with running the heats of the 200m. Graeme qualified comfortably running 25.90 sec. to once again qualify for the final. In the 200m final Graeme equipped himself well running a respectable 25.77 sec. and placing 4th overall.

Graeme with World Champion So Wa Wai, Barbara Ballard and HKG China National Coach

Fellow Chorley AC athlete Michael Churm (coached by Francis Crook) was third fastest qualifier behind Paralympic Champion Matt Slade (New Zealand) and World Record Holder Mohammed Allek (Algeria) with a time of 12.38 sec in the 100m. In the final Michael came 5th in a respectable 12.53 sec. with the winning time of 11.79 sec. by Chinese athlete Chen Yang smashing the current World Record.

With a days rest after the 100m final Michael ran the heats of the 200m in a time of 25.13 sec. equaling his PB and National Record. In the final Michael came 5th in a respectable 25.39 sec. with the top four all under sub 25 sec. The World Champion Matt Slade won the event in a world leading time. One of the final events of the Championships was the 4 x 100m relay, with the Great Britain team consisting of Graeme Ballard, Michael Churm, Stephen Herbert and Ben Rushgrove. Making their debut in the relay the team placed 5th behind Australia, Ukraine and China in a time of 49.13 sec.

Action Shot of Michael Churm in the 200m Semi Final

Both Michael and Graeme are now in a reflective mood and are looking forward to their next major international - Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008.

Photography Courtesy of Lynn and Chris Churm