David Holding
Encyclopedia
David Holding is a British
wheelchair athlete. Holding was born with spina bifida
, a birth defect that affects the spinal cord, and has been in a wheelchair since childhood. An accountant by training, he competes as an amateur athlete in wheelchair races of all distances. He has won a number of races, but is most well known for being a four-time winner of the London Marathon
and the former world record holder and a Paralympics gold medal winner in the 100 meter wheelchair race. He competed in four Summer Paralympic Games, from 1992 to 2004, in events ranging from the 100 meters to the marathon. In addition to his 1996 gold in the 100 meters, he also won two bronze medals: in the 200 meters in 1996 and in the 100 meters in 2000.
Holding is a patron of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability
.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
wheelchair athlete. Holding was born with spina bifida
Spina bifida
Spina bifida is a developmental congenital disorder caused by the incomplete closing of the embryonic neural tube. Some vertebrae overlying the spinal cord are not fully formed and remain unfused and open. If the opening is large enough, this allows a portion of the spinal cord to protrude through...
, a birth defect that affects the spinal cord, and has been in a wheelchair since childhood. An accountant by training, he competes as an amateur athlete in wheelchair races of all distances. He has won a number of races, but is most well known for being a four-time winner of the London Marathon
London Marathon
The London Marathon is one of the biggest running events in the world, and one of the five top world marathons that make up the World Marathon Majors competition, which has a $1 million prize purse. It has been held each spring in London since 1981. The race is currently sponsored by Virgin Money,...
and the former world record holder and a Paralympics gold medal winner in the 100 meter wheelchair race. He competed in four Summer Paralympic Games, from 1992 to 2004, in events ranging from the 100 meters to the marathon. In addition to his 1996 gold in the 100 meters, he also won two bronze medals: in the 200 meters in 1996 and in the 100 meters in 2000.
Holding is a patron of the National Association for Bikers with a Disability
National Association for Bikers with a Disability
The National Association for Bikers with a Disability or NABD is a Registered Charity in the United Kingdom and in Scotland. The NABD gives technical advice and financial grants to help to adapt motorcycles, sidecars and trikes for use by disabled riders. It also gives advice on training and...
.