Whitehead geared up for another chapter in his odyssey

Inspirational Olympic figurehead Richard Whitehead, who has a double knee congenital amputation which means he runs with prosthetic legs, is seen to be preparing for the Tokyo Paralympics which kicks off on Tuesday after a year-long pandemic delay as Japan battles a record surge in cases. Gold medallist in the 200m T42 Athletics event at the 2012 and 2016 Paralympics, this 45-year-old British athlete holds the world record for athletes with a double amputation in both the full and half marathon. Overall, Richard is decorated with nine gold medals across the Paralympics, World Championships and European Championships. As at the Olympics, the Paralympics event will be marked by strict health-safety protocols, with almost all spectators banned and tough restrictions on athletes and other participants.