ARCHER John Stubbs is flying the flag for Warrington after being selected as flagbearer at the Tokyo Paralympics earlier this week.
Commenting on his selection as ParalympicsGB’s flagbearer John from Woolston, Warrington, said: “For any elite athlete to go to the Games and be bestowed this honour is a privilege. I know my family will be as proud as punch.”
As the oldest member of the team at 56, Archer John, who – along with swimmer Ellie Simmonds – was selected to lead his country into Tuesday’s opening ceremony, knows all too well about mental health issues following a leg amputation 32 years ago after a motorcycle accident.
Speaking to Sky Sports John said: “Covid has done us no favours, if you like. But the Games being postponed and then announced they were going on 12 months later in 2021, it gave everyone with a disability aspiring to be on the team a meaning for life.”
“You’re talking to somebody that’s really suffered with real bad psychology and mental health issues,” he said. “I am not embarrassed to say that I suffered with mental health issues after my accident.
He lost his right leg at the age of 24 in November 1989 after being knocked off his motorbike while travelling home from his job as a fabrication engineer. After also being struck by another car, he required a 68-pint blood transfusion and was twice given his last rites in hospital before pulling through.
He has gone on to win four world titles, plus gold in the individual compound at Beijing 2008 and silver in the mixed team compound at Rio 2016.
The honour of being selected to carry the Union Flag into Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium at his fourth Games has come on the back of a “torrid year” which began with the death of his father from cancer.
“I was at training when I got that frightful telephone call to say you need to get home – and get home as soon as you can,” he said.
“I got there and I actually lay by my dad and gave him a hug. He didn’t really know I was there and effectively he actually died in my arms.
“It was the worst thing ever, you know, but I’m so glad that I got there, and I was there with the rest of my family to bid my goodbyes.”
Now John will be bidding for more medal success in the games which run until September 5.
Congratulations to the seven archers who carried the flags of their nations at the opening ceremony of the @Tokyo2020 @Paralympics. 🙌
🇧🇹 Pema Rigsel
🇨🇳 Zhou Jiamin
🇬🇧 John Stubbs
🇮🇷 Zahra Nemati
🇱🇻 Ieva Melle
🇲🇳 Selengee Demberel
🇸🇮 Dejan Fabcic#ArcheryatTokyo pic.twitter.com/t41GZpKRq8— World Archery (@worldarchery) August 24, 2021
But first, let's take a selfie 🤳@EllieSimmonds1 and John Stubbs, @ParalympicsGB flag bearers, making memories!#Paralympics #Tokyo2020 #OpeningCeremony pic.twitter.com/iJdIQe07QP
— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) August 24, 2021
