Decorated Paralympic star David Weir has told Sports Mole that he is firmly focused on adding Commonwealth gold to his list of titles in Glasgow this week.
In an illustrious career, the 35-year-old wheelchair athlete has picked up 10 Paralympic medals - including six golds - across distances from 800m to the marathon.
Making his Commonwealth Games debut this morning, Weir cruised through qualifying in first place in his 1,500m heat with a time of 3:28.24, and just moments later Sports Mole caught up with him for an exclusive chat.
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You managed a comfortable win in the qualifiers just there. How are you feeling?
"Yeah, it was good. It was a bit long waiting around - one of the athletes had a problem with his chair and his wheels or something, so that was a bit frustrating but at the end of the day you want all the athletes in the race so we were willing to wait for him. But I felt good - I'm looking forward to Thursday now."
You've done everything there is to do in the sport apart from the Commonwealths. How great is your desire to complete the set?
"It would be amazing. I've trained all year for it, it's been on my mind and I just want to be on that podium with the national anthem for England. I've never done that before. If it happens it happens, but we'll see on the day. I'm pushing really well and I'll give it my best shot like I always do."
You've basically dominated for decades now. Would anything less than a gold here be a disappointment?
"Of course. I only train to win gold, and that's in my mindset. I don't go into a race thinking of third or second, that's nothing for me."
There were a lot of England flags out there today...
"It's amazing, you know. Yeah, it felt like London a little bit. There's great support. I was really chuffed with that. It was nice to see all the St George's flags."
What's your favourite distance to compete at?
"You know what, this year it's probably the 800. I always have a favourite every year and going into London 2012, it was the marathon. Yeah, I change my mind every year! But I love the 1,500, it's the pinnacle of wheelchair racing. It's a blue ribbon event, everyone wants to win the 1,500. It's a great distance to race. For the crowd, it's a great distance to watch."
How about the future? Will this be your last Commonwealth Games? How about Rio?
"I'll be at Rio. Probably my last Commonwealths. You never know though, mate. I'd like to go on to 2017 and the World Championships in London, that would be great. Let's see how Rio goes. Will I do another year of hard work after a four-year cycle? It's quite tough, when you've done everything. I'm 35 but I'm not getting any slower, which is great to know. My speeds and my times [aren't slowing]. In theory I'm getting slightly quicker. So as soon as that starts to go down, then I think it's time to pack it in. But until I feel that, I won't know. I could be here for another ten years, you never know!"
Weir competes in the final of the men's Para-sport 1,500m T54 at 7.35pm on Thursday.
Barney Corkhill
