The 34-year-old double leg amputee, who will be competing in the Virgin London Marathon this Sunday (April 17), secured a superb but surprise victory in the men's 200 metres T42 event at the Christchurch 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships earlier this year but was left distraught at not being able to compete in his favoured marathon event in New Zealand.

Whitehead now looks set to miss on his dream of competing at in the marathon event at the London 2012 Paralympics because the T42 world record holder does not specifically fit into any of the disability classes which are eligible to run the marathon at the Paralympics

In his letter to Gonzalez, Whitehead writes: "I write to you to express my despair in the matter of my qualification for the 2012 Paralympic Marathon.

"As you know, as a double leg amputee I am a T42 and I have been training for the past three years in order to qualify for the T46 (upper limb amputees) Marathon.

"As the current world record holder in my class for the full and half marathons, I am staggered that the opportunity to inspire leg amputees is looking increasingly unlikely due to the inflexibility of the IPC.

"While I fully understand that logistically the IPC cannot run a separate event for every discipline, the simple fact that a race already exists, and I am being denied entry for no other reason than it has not happened before, is sickening.

"The marathon is an iconic race, an event that is the ultimate goal for many runners, regardless of ability or disability.

"Due to the current predilection of amateur marathon running across the globe, I would argue that of all the Olympic and Paralympic races it is, without question, the one that everyday people can relate to.

"My twin goals are to be able to compete in the race and inspire others by demonstrating that being a double leg amputee is no reason to be held back.

"The 2012 Paralympic stage is key to spreading this message to the tens of thousands of leg amputees around the world as I would hope that watching me run in London will inspire and motivate many of them to do the same in the future."

Although Whitehead looks certain to race over the 200m T42 race at London 2012, it is clear that the marathon event is his first love and he feels the IPC's mission statement discussing the development of sporting opportunities should allow him to the chance to take part in it.

The letter continues: "Your mission statement, as published on your website, is as follows: 'The IPC is committed to enabling Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.'

"This is clearly a gilt-edged opportunity for the IPC to fulfil its mission statement to the letter and spread the gospel around the globe.

"I am aware that you are currently deliberating on your events, but I would strongly suggest that you reconsider your stance and let me inspire a generation of Paralympic athletes."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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