Darren Thrupp

Known by most as ‘Laces’ or the ‘Thrupp Myster’, Queensland’s Darren Thrupp is a force to be reckoned with when it comes to running and long jump. Now the elite athlete is aiming to blow away the field at Beijing – making it his sixth Paralympics.

With 20 years of competing in national teams under his belt, Darren has broken world records in long jump, 100m and 4×100m relay as well as Australian records in 100m, 200m and long jump events.

Coached by Gary Bourne, Darren holds a scholarship with QAS and trains locally with South Brisbane. His advice to youngsters get out there and give it 110 per cent, make it hurt reflects well on his own strengths of self drive and determination. Darren, who has cerebral palsy as a result of a car accident, first competed at the age of 17 and has been a mad sports lover all his life. He has been awarded an OAM for his services to sport and was named the Maranoa District Sportsman of the Century as well as the Darling Downs Sportsman of the Year.

Darren was asked to carry the Australian flag for the 2005 IPC Open European Championships at the opening ceremony, a great honour by any athlete’s standard. Competing at Beijing will allow Darren to improve on his personal bests and set himself new goals, adding to his already overflowing tally of medals and records.