Thomas Geierspichler

Thomas Geierspichler ( born April 14, 1976 in Salzburg) is an Austrian racing wheelchairs. He was world champion five times, six times European champion and Paralympics winner over 1500 meters and the marathon, where he also holds the world record. The one time he was the overall winner of the World Series, the Swisseries and the America Series.

Life

On April 4, 1994 Geierspichler had an accident on the way home from a nightclub in the passenger seat of a friend. After two months at the rehabilitation center, he learned that he would be paralyzed from the waist down. He formed a new circle of friends and got drug and alcohol problems. In 1997, New Year's Eve he stopped smoking, drinking and taking drugs.

Career

In early 1998 learned Geierspichler a wheelchair racing drivers know and got the opportunity to participate in a training camp. Driven by its motto "Everything is possible to him who believes. " He fought within a very short time with the world leaders of the racing wheelchair driving and pulled out already at the Paralympic Games in Sydney 2000, surprisingly, the bronze medal. In 2008 he won in world record time the gold medal in the marathon.

Sporting successes

Paralympic Games

Summer Paralympics in Sydney 2000

• 3rd place in the Marathon

Summer 2004 Paralympics in Athens

Summer 2008 Paralympics in Beijing

Paralympic Summer Games 2012 in London

• 3rd place in the 400m

World Championships

2002 Lille

• 2nd place in the Marathon
• 2nd place in the 5,000 m
• 2nd place over 1,500 m
• 2nd place about 800 m
• 2nd place in the 400m

2007 Taipei

• 2nd place in the 400m

2008 Lisbon

• 2nd place in the Half Marathon

2010 Dubai

European Championships

2001 Lisbon and Nottwil

2005 Espoo and Helsinki

Awards

• Austria's Disabled Athlete of the Year: 2002, 2004, 2008
• Golden Medal of Merit to the Republic of Austria: 2001
• Gold Decoration for Services to the Republic of Austria: 2004
• Golden Medal of the Province of Salzburg: 2004