Rollercoaster ride for brave Paralympian
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INSPIRATIONAL fortitude shown by a paracyclist as he continues to compete despite facing a third cancer fight has earned him a prestigious national award.
Aviemore's Dave Smith was named Team Scot of the Year at the annual Team Scotland Scottish Sports Awards in recognition of his incredible drive and determination.
The popular 40-year-old Paralympic medallist, who bagged a rowing gold in London 2012 but has since switched to paracycling, was hailed as a "true ambassador for Team Scotland and Scottish sport".
He was praised for his fight to "continue to compete at the top level despite a recurring spinal-cord tumour". They added that he had inspired many people "both in Scotland and around the world".
The plaudits capped a "huge rollercoaster of a week" for Smith, who will be postponing surgery on his tumour for as long as possible amid fears that the operation could leave him paralysed. He said he wanted to compete for as long as possible before surgery becomes absolutely essential.
And he said his latest award had been a "humbling experience" and one he will treasure.
"You never enter sport to get awards – it's because you love it. But when you're recognised by people you respect, and you see the calibre of the people who also got awards in a room full of people you aspire to... it's a humbling experience."
He added that the night had been a great chance to catch up with friends and colleagues, some of whom he'd not seen since Glasgow's Commonwealth Games.
"To be part of the night was just really special. There's a lot of things in life you can take for granted, but when you come so close to losing your life so many times, awards like this are really special.
"It's about living in the moment."
Some 550 people joined the celebrations at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre, where the evening was hosted by highly respected TV presenters Hazel Irvine and Dougie Vipond.
Duncan Scott was the big winner on the day, picking up the 2018 Scottish Sportsperson of the Year title following an outstanding season that saw him become Scotland's most successful athlete ever at a single Commonwealth Games, with six medals in the Gold Coast, followed by four medals at the European Championships in Glasgow.
Praising all of the winners for their efforts, Paul Bush, chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland, said: "Tonight has been a fantastic celebration of what has been and continues to be a golden year for Scottish sport.
"There is much to look forward to in 2019, with Scotland welcoming world-class athletes to the European Indoor Athletics Championships and the 2019 Solheim Cup. I am quite sure we will be celebrating our athletes' achievements at these and other major events this time next year."
