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发帖数: 19210 | 2 http://www.theboltonnews.co.uk/sport/boltonsport/9169471.Age_pr
Age proves no barrier as George targets Worlds
8:20am Saturday 30th July 2011
GEORGE Duffy has jetted in from Canada to be the oldest competitor in this
year’s Ironman UK triathlon.
The 71-year-old athlete, orginally from Charnock Richard and staying with
family in Bolton, is looking forward to taking on the daunting challenge.
Duffy could not even swim nine years ago when he took up triathlons, but he
now does four a year and has completed three Ironmen.
And the sporty septuagenarian has an extra incentive for finishing the
arduous course – a place in the world championships in Hawaii in October.
“I’ve just found out that because I’m the only athlete in the 70 to 74-
year-old age category that if I finish the race I’ll automatically qualify
for the world championships,” he said.
“It certainly gives me extra motivation. To compete in Hawaii would be
amazing.
“I only started swimming later in life because I used to go along with my
wife to her swim club but I was embarrassed I couldn’t do it.
“So I decided to learn and I entered my first triathlon when I was 62.
Three years later I thought I would give Ironman a try and I’ve been doing
them ever since.
“It’s unusual to find Ironmen of my age over here but it’s more common at
home. The last one I did, in Florida, there were 12 others in my category.”
Duffy moved to North America in 1949 after his mother married a Canadian
serviceman.
But he remained in contact with his cousin, Margaret Fraser, and her husband
Len, of Smithills, and has returned to the North West several times over
the last few years.
His relatives tipped him off that Bolton was staging Ironman UK and Duffy
jumped at the chance to take part.
The grandfather-of-seven said: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard they
did one in Bolton. I thought they must have got it wrong.
“Normally when I come back to England it is to see family and do a bit of
sightseeing, so this will be a bit different.
“I can’t wait to give it go. I’m really looking forward to it, although,
as with all Ironmans, there’s a certain amount of trepidation as well.
“I’ve seen the course and there’s one steep hill in Rivington that I’m a
little worried about but I should be all right.” |
