The 34-year-old double leg amputee from Nottingham is a T42 runner that competes with prosthetic legs but, as there is no marathon event in his class, he was hoping to compete in the marathon T46 race against athletes that have a single above or below elbow amputation or impairment.

The marathon specialist caused a shock when became world champion in the 200 metres T42 race at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Paralympic Athletics Championships in Christchurch last month in a championship record of 25.88sec.

He admitted some of the shine was taken off his gold medal when he was told just three days before the marathon T46 event in Christchurch that he would not be able to compete in it.

While disappointed, Whitehead was not distraught until he suffered a further blow when the CAS backed the IPC's decision meaning that he will not be able to fulfil his dream of competing in the marathon in front of a home crowd at London 2012.

"It was hard to take when I was told I couldn't run the marathon," said Whitehead.

"I'm unbelievably proud to win the 200 metres but I'm a marathon runner.

"That is the event I love competing in.

"My heart is in marathon running and I wanted to do it on the big stage.

"I expected to win my case at the Court of Arbitration so it was really disappointing.

"The IPC haven't spoken to me personally.

"I'm going to lobby them to change their ruling.

"I'm not going to ask them to create a new marathon event purely for leg amputees.

"I just want to be allowed to run against people with lesser impairments than myself, which doesn't seem a lot to ask.

"They need to be more flexible.

"Sport is supposed to be all about inclusion, not exclusion.

"I'm not doing it just for myself either. I'm doing it for all disabled athletes.

"It's not about winning; it's about being allowed to take part.

"Achievement does not only have three colours, gold, silver and bronze.

"You don't have to win a medal to achieve something.

"Hopefully the IPC will overturn their ruling and let me run the marathon in London because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete in my favourite event in my own country.

"I would be heartbroken if I couldn't."

However, it is certain that Whitehead will be able to compete in the 200m T42 race in London and stated he would love to add Paralympic gold to his world crown.

"A lot of people thought I was crazy running the 200 metres because I'm a marathon runner but I was very confident going into the Championships I could win it and I smashed it," he said.

"I was in sixth place coming out of the turn but as soon as I got into the home straight I motored past everyone.

"It felt fantastic to cross the finish line first.

Whitehead's gold helped Britain to finish third in the medal table and looking strong head into London 2012.

"It was great to be part of a successful team," he said.

"There was a lot of unity and we spurred each other on to success.

"It was a proud moment when I was given my medal and the national anthem was played.

"At that moment I was thinking of all of the support I have received from my family and friends, and the challenges I have overcome in my life to get to this stage, of being a world champion."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
January 2011: Sort it out for London 2012, Whitehead urges IPC
January 2011: Sensational Whitehead wins surprise World Championship gold in 200 metres
January 2011: Exclusive - Gonzalez vows IPC will clear up "confusion" over disability classes
January 2011: Craig Spence - No-legged marathon runner wasn't barred – his event simply doesn't exist in this year's Championships
January 2011: Exclusive - Man with no legs barred from running World Championships marathon by International Paralympic Committee