Crates shocked by funding setback

Crates carried the GB flag at the Beijing Paralympics

Essex Paralympian Danny Crates said he was shocked to have had his lottery funding terminated.

The 800m runner from Maldon carried the flag for Great Britain at this year's Beijing Games, but was unable to compete through injury.

He has now learned he will no longer receive help from UK Athletics.

Crates, 35, told BBC Essex: "I expected to be dropped a level or two - but to be told that I was no longer viable as an athlete was pretty harsh."

"To go from being one of the highest funded athletes on 'A' funding, which is the highest level, and being the flag bearer and all that to suddenly nothing is a bit of a shock and it's not what I expected," added the 2004 Paralympic gold medallist.

You just have to carry on and prove that they were wrong, prove you were right and hopefully they'll believe you in the future

Danny Crates

He continued: "It was a bit of a hard hit and it's been a really tough year - with Beijing to start with and then finding out that you've lost the support that you've had for so long.

"But you can't let it destroy you - you just have to carry on and prove that they were wrong, prove you were right and hopefully they'll believe you in the future," he added.

Crates confirmed he was in the process of appealing the decision, which will not only mean an end to financial backing from National Lottery money, but also access to medical and training support.

He also added that, whilst the move could force him into retirement from the sport, he would continue to compete for at least another year and possibly longer.

"I want to prove to everyone that it [his Paralympic-ending calf injury] was just a niggle this year and it wasn't career-threatening," he explained.

"I'm back full-time training again, although still tentatively, so hopefully I'll come out of that OK and race again next year.

"I can carry myself for a year and I'll do whatever I can to do that, but further on from that, it's down to my governing body really."