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Last Updated: Friday, 11 May 2007, 14:58 GMT 15:58 UK
Ask Ade Adepitan
Ade Adepitan in action
Wheelchair basketball ace Ade Adepitan is a familiar face on BBC Television.

After taking up the sport in 1988, he was a member of the Great Britain team that won bronze at the Athens Paralympics in 2004.

The following year he played a key role as GB beat Australia to win the inaugural Visa Paralympic World Cup in Manchester and was honoured with an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Earlier this year he announced his retirement from international action but took up a new challenge by competing in the London Marathon.

As well as his sporting achievements, Ade has worked as a presenter for BBC Television and starred in the CBBC series "Desperados".

Thank you for all of your questions - here Ade answers the best.


What was it like to go from competing in wheelchair basketball to taking part in the London Marathon?
Alex Price, UK

I was lucky because I had a good level of fitness when I started the marathon training and without that, I would have struggled a lot more than I did.

Going from playing a team sport to being an individual competitor was different after spending 18 years as part of a team. It meant you had to spend a lot of time training on your own which was fine with me and quite relaxing really.

You showed so much enthusiasm, grit and determination when you took part in the marathon. Can you describe what it was like over those final few miles?
Jason Lewis, Germany

The final few miles were relatively easy but I had a bad patch around the 15-mile mark where I took on too much water too quickly and struggled - that was five miles of complete hell.

The last bit was easy after that and going down the Mall with 30,000 people cheering you on was an amazing experience.

I had my headphones on and was listening to hardcore drum and bass music all the way through to keep me going but I couldn't hear the music when I was going down the Mall.

I saw you training in Richmond Park recently. Do you have any plans to compete in any other marathons in the future?
James Wood, UK

I said straight after I finished the London race that I never wanted to do another one but now the aches and pains have eased, I think I've changed my mind!

Ade is also a big fan of tennis
Ade also enjoys tennis

I'd like to get a team together to do a marathon somewhere next year.

What motivated you to get started in the sport and what motivates you now?
Rose Kennedy, England

I've always been a competitor and always wanted to win in whatever I did, even as a kid playing football.

The biggest inspiration for me was watching the coverage of the Los Angeles Olympics in 1984 and seeing the spectacle of that made me want to become a Paralympian.

What other sports do you play?
Amy W, Stockport

I'll try my hand at anything as long as it is physical. As well as wheelchair basketball, tennis is my main sport and I've now done a bit of road racing. I also love the adrenalin rush from things like scuba diving and skiing - the more dangerous the better.

What advice would you give to anyone who wanted to get involved in disabled sport?
Aaron, England

There are so many opportunities available now compared to when I started. Back then people didn't know a lot about disabled sports and there were no websites available for people to find out more.

Check out the British Paralympic Association's Parasport website or if you want to try wheelchair basketball, you can find information on the GB Wheelchair Basketball Association website.

Try as many sports as you can - don't just restrict yourself to one or two. Don't get discouraged if you don't find a sport you like straight away - there is definitely a sport out there for you. And most importantly of all, enjoy it!

You love to travel. Where is the best place you have been and where would you like to go on your next holiday?
Kate, Wigan

The best place for relaxing and chilling out completely is Bonaire in the Dutch Antilles. It's a stunning place with beautiful beaches and is great for scuba diving.

The place that I would love to visit next is South America. I've been a couple of times but I love it. Somewhere exotic in South America would be good - but I don't think that narrows it down much!

Would you like to do some work to help disabled sport in Nigeria?
Emeka, Nigeria

That's definitely something I would like to do but I need to find the best way to do it and get the backing for it. I would love to start a wheelchair basketball association in Nigeria.

I was born there but moved to England when I was very young. I went back last year for the first time in 30 years and it made me realise how lucky I have been. In Britain, we take so much for granted but over there if you have a disability it is truly a hard life.

Have you any unfulfilled ambitions?
Anna, Essex

I'd love the chance to do some more acting. My role in the CBBC drama Desperados was my first acting role and I really loved it so that is something I would like to pursue further.



SEE ALSO
Adepitan to quit internationals
16 Feb 06 |  Disability Sport
Top honours for wheelchair stars
10 Jun 05 |  Disability Sport


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