Neil Fachie admits that had anyone suggested to his younger self that he’d become a five-time Paralympian, he’d have laughed them out of town.
However, as the 40-year-old prepares to compete at Paris 2024 having made his Paralympic debut back in 2008 in Beijing, he reveals he’s considerably more relaxed about the two weeks that lie ahead than he was nearly two decades ago.
“These days, I feel very different to how I did ahead of my first Paralympics. At my first one in 2008, I really didn’t know what to expect and I was pretty astounded by it all. It was those Games in Beijing that made me really fall in love with the Paralympics but at that point, I definitely never envisaged doing five so it’s pretty amazing to be at this point," the Aberdeenshire man says.
“Now, I don’t get quite the same level of excitement because I’ve been there and done it before but equally, I know what to expect and know how fun it is.”
Fachie, who is visually impaired, is no stranger to Paralympic success.
On his Paralympic debut in 2008, where he was competing as a sprinter, he left empty-handed, prompting him to switch sports to cycling.
It was this change in discipline that saw him become of one of the great Scottish Paralympians, picking up two golds and two silvers since London 2012.
His success at the past three Paralympics means he heads to Paris with significant pressure upon his shoulders, where he and his pilot rider, Matt Rotherham, are the defending champions in the Tandem B kilo.
But Fachie’s experience means he’s well-equipped to deal with the expectations and that, coupled with the fact his perspective has shifted somewhat in recent seasons, means he’s confident he won’t be unduly affected by the pressure that being a four-time Paralympic medallist can bring.
“In the past, I have gone into Paralympics with that element of stress about getting the job done whereas this time, I want to make the most of the whole experience,” Fachie, who begins his campaign today, says.
“I’m not planning to walk away from cycling after Paris but I’m aware this could be my last Paralympics so I want to make the most of them because of that.
“There will be pressure in Paris but I’m used to that. But winning gold is certainly not a formality - people produce miraculous performances at the Paralympics and so we know how tough it’ll be.
“I want to win gold but I also want to have good memories to take away from Paris because the Paralympics are incredible.”
Fachie goes into these Paralympics brimming with confidence having won the world tandem B kilo title in March for the third consecutive time.
But the year hasn’t all been plain sailing for the Aberdeenshire rider and he’s well aware that with tiny margins often separating first from second in his event, nothing can be taken for granted over the coming days.
“In December, I tore a ligament in my ankle and that set me back. It was stressful going into the Worlds in March because it felt like things were a real struggle and we were just trying to grind it out,” he says.
“But since winning gold there, things have been brilliant – that result allowed us to reset and go again for Paris and now, I feel in really good shape.
Paris 2024 will be something of a family affair for Fachie.
His wife, Lora, is also a member of Team GB’s cycling squad while the pair’s one-year-old son, Fraser, will be in the stands for the first time at a Paralympics.
And it’s that, even more than becoming a five-time Paralympian, that will make Paris 2024 particularly special for Fachie.
“I don’t know how much of it Fraser will remember in the future but it’s lovely to know he’ll be there,” he says.
“He’s been to a few major champs and he’s not really had a clue what’s going on but now, he’s a lot more aware of what’s happening. He’ll very much be a part of this Paralympics and that’s very special.
I listen out for him in the crowd - he’s very loud so it’s nice knowing where he’s sitting and it’d be great to do well with him there.”
