Don’t tell the people of Cairns that no one remembers the bronze medal winners. Because the people of Far North Queensland are celebrating today after the iconic Grant “Scooter” Patterson made Paralympic history.
Patterson and Ahmed Kelly shared the podium in the men’s 150m individual medley SM3 at Tokyo 2020, both winning their first Paralympic medals.
And they have repeated that feat, with ‘Scooter’ taking bronze, his third medal in three Paralympic Games.
Kelly, having been disqualified and then reinstated following an officiating error during the heats, was quick to brush off the drama and took silver in 3:02.16, while Scooter took bronze in 3:06.94.
Patterson was born with dwarfism and diastrophic dysplasia and relies on a custom-made scooter to get around, making him a local icon in Cairns.
Despite his size, he has a huge personality and has been nicknamed the mayor of the Australian sports village for his powerful voice and enthusiasm.
That has led many to declare him a more attractive man than Paris Olympics guest, rap icon Snoop Dogg.
He is also considered the unofficial mayor of Cairns, where he is known to most local residents who today celebrate his achievements.
Grant ‘Scooter’ Patterson competes in his third Paralympic Games in Paris
He may be small in stature, but Scooter has shown his strength to claim his third medal.
Scooter was born with dwarfism and diastrophic dysplasia and relies on his custom-made scooter to get around and see the sights of Paris.
One of them is Steven Ross, co-owner of Pressure Pumps NQ, who has called for Scooter to become the next Dylan Alcott, who has also launched a successful media career.
“I met Scooter almost a decade ago while manning the counter at a busy local auto shop where he works,” Ross said.
“He’s become a staple of our work life and is one of those guys who makes your day better. Not only does he know what he’s doing, but his personality is contagious.
‘We talk football with his colleagues at the counter, lamenting the ups and downs of our local basketball team. It’s kind of a catch-up chat every time I’m in his shop.
“This guy is clearly Australian; the big chains should take a look at him.”
Scooter started swimming at age 11 as it was one of the few sports available to those with diastrophic dysplasia who aspired to compete internationally.
He met coach Andrew “Herbie” Howard in 2007, who helped him pursue a place on the 2008 Australian Paralympic Team, but he narrowly missed out.
Undeterred, Scooter set a world record in 2009 and won seven medals at the 2011 Pan Pacific Championships.
Cairns residents have called for Scooter to become the next Paralympian to become a media personality after Dylan Alcott.
Scooter may be 35, but he has no plans to retire just yet and hopes to still be racing at Brisbane 2032.
Although she did not win a medal at the London 2012 Paralympics, it was a highlight of her career.
He claimed two medals at the 2019 World Para Swimming Championships and finally achieved his dream at Tokyo 2020 with a bronze in the men’s 150m individual medley SM3.
Scooter also won a silver medal in the men’s 50m breaststroke SB2, setting a new Oceania record.
Now, at 35, she has done it again and won a medal that she hopes will inspire all Australian children.
Scooter will now compete in the men’s 50m breaststroke SB2 and the men’s 200m freestyle S3.
And Scooter has no intention of slowing down.
“I don’t know anyone in the world who can do that, not just with my dwarfism and my diastrophic dysplasia,” he said.
“I’m just chasing these dreams and goals to try and inspire and motivate someone else like me to go out and do it, hopefully maybe by Brisbane 2032.”
What makes the moment even more memorable for Patterson is that he gets to have his long-time coach, Andrew “Herbie” Howard, poolside after he became Team Australia’s official Paralympic coach.
“I keep saying that Herbie and I have been together for 17 years – that’s longer than the average marriage in Australia – and this trip to Paris is practically our honeymoon, so we’ve been taking some photos together, doing some sightseeing, which is nice,” Patterson said.
Patterson is now set to compete in the men’s 50-meter breaststroke SB2 and men’s 200-meter freestyle S3 events.
