Sponsors of the C4 London 2012 Paralympic Games site
29th August - 9th September
Stephen Thomas Q & A
"Growing up, I was known as ‘Buchu’ after a character in an old computer game"
14 Apr 2011 17:26 pm
What's been your most embarrassing moment in sport?
"It was at my first Paralympics when I fell out of the boat. It was on the first day, my first race and I went overboard."
What would you eat all day if you weren't an athlete?
"I enjoy a fairly balanced diet and I love my fruit and vegetables, so I don't think I'd go crazy. I'd probably have a few more pizzas, curries and chocolate puddings than I do now but I'd start craving fresh food soon enough if it was junk food all day."
Who's your sporting idol?
"In sailing circles, it's Ben Ainslie. Outside of sailing, it's Sir Steve Redgrave."
What's the greatest moment of your career so far?
"I think winning the World Championship in 2005. We'd had a really disappointing Paralympics in Athens in 2004, so to bounce back a year later and win the worlds was hugely satisfying."
Who's your nemesis?
"The Germans are always really strong."
What aspect of training do you hate most?
"I hate it when I can't train because that either means I'm injured or I can't get out onto the water because of the conditions."
What's your worst habit?
"I'm pretty messy and disorganised."
Do you have a nickname?
"I've got two actually. Growing up, I was known as 'Buchu' after one of the characters in an old computer game called Yie Ar Kung-Fu. The character was a big sumo who was always getting beaten up and I was a fat kid who was bullied. In sailing circles, I'm known as 'Stevo'."
If you could send any person, place or thing into Room 101, what would it be?
"Smoking."
Do you have any party tricks?
"I'm absolutely world class at getting legless."
Who would play you in a film of your life?
"Well, someone once said I look like Matt Damon..."
What would you sing if you were auditioning for The X Factor and why?
"One Shot by Eminem because it sums up what sport is all about."
Which celebrity would you swap places with and why?
"Jake Humphrey, the presenter of the BBC's Formula 1 coverage. It must be really cool to get so close to all the drivers and their teams in the pit lane."
You're on death row. What's your last meal?
"Steak and chips with a rocket and parmesan salad and a nice glass of red wine."
