11th September 2014

ATHLETE RICKY FERGUSSON GIVES US HIS TAKE ON THE FIRST DAY OF THE INVICTUS GAMES, PRESENTED BY JAGUAR LAND ROVER

11 September 2014 - After competing in the men's 100 metre IT2 final we caught up with Corporal Ricky Fergusson of the 4th Battalion, The Rifles to hear all about his Invictus Games experiences.

Corporal Fergusson is 29-years-old and lives in Telford and has been awarded the Military Cross for bravery.

How did you find the experience of racing here at Lee Valley Athletics Centre?

I had to walk to the end of the race but it has been great to compete here. I was cheered to the line and cheered back which was fantastic but I felt like a bit of an idiot - them cheering me even though I hadn’t won!

How did you come to take part in the Invictus Games?

I got injured in the Sangin District in Afghanistan in 2010 - I was Section Commander and unfortunately as we left a compound I triggered an IED in the doorway.

I lost both legs, five fingers and my left eye - I used to look like David Beckham back in his youth but unfortunately they took that away from me!

What has your experience of the Games been like so far?

The experience here has been absolutely brilliant - it opens the minds not just of injured soldiers but everyone watching.

Having 14 different nations here is something else - there are some countries who wouldn’t have experienced anything like this, so it's fantastic for everyone. It's an awesome atmosphere.

How inspirational do you think these Games can be?

It's great for everyone back home, even non-military, who have a disability of one sort or another - hopefully they'll think if you guys can do it, then we can do it as well.

A lot of the general public might get injured and give up but this shows you don’t have to do that.

What's next for you, will you continue to compete?

Some guys at the Invictus Games will have their own personal coach, they'll enjoy this event and realise that they're one step closer to competing at the Paralympics - it's inspiring.

I'm new to running - I haven’t competed much, so I gave it a go and I really enjoyed it.

If I can get new sockets and a coach then who knows how far I could go.