Paralympic, world champion runner Riech on mission to inspire others with brain injuries

Nate Riech is running for much more than medals and records.

The reigning Paralympic and world champion from Victoria is at the top of his sport after a meteoric rise that saw him break records and shine on the brightest stage. But for Riech, being a Para athlete is about more than just personal accomplishments.

Riech's motivation to succeed is rooted in a mission to inspire others with traumatic brain injuries (TBI), to be the kind of Para athlete role model he didn't have growing up.

While Riech, 28, looked up to able-bodied stars such as Kobe Bryant during childhood, he has always wanted to be that figure for others facing similar challenges.

"For me growing up, I didn't really see any traumatic brain injury athletes," Riech told CBC Sports. "I looked up to a lot of big athletes like Kobe, but part of my motivation was that I want to be that athlete that when kids have TBI or have CP [cerebral palsy]. It's like wow, look what Nate did for his own career.

"That was my first goal when getting into Paralympic sport, to motivate and inspire the next generation."

The middle-distance runner suffered a TBI at 10 years old while golfing with friends, as a golfer from another group accidentally struck him in the back of the head with a shot from 150 yards away.

The injury affects the right side of Riech's body, placing him in the T38 classification for Para athletics. T38 is for athletes with coordination impairments to a low degree in the lower trunk and legs, entire body or down one side.

Riech is set to defend his men's T38 1,500-metre world title on July 17 at the World Para Athletics Championships in Paris, where he will also try to retain his Paralympic crown next summer.

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