Buckie youngster (10) wins two medals at World Dwarf Games in Cologne, Germany
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A BUCKIE youngster has 'taken the first step towards the Paralympics' after securing two medals at the World Dwarf Games.
Kristian Barrett (10), who attends Cluny Primary School, picked up a gold medal in the swimming (25m freestyle) and a silver in the basketball at the Games in Cologne, Germany.
He was one of a 77-strong Team GB squad, featuring 13 Scottish athletes, that travelled to the event. Overall, there were 534 athletes from 29 countries globally.
Kristian has achondroplasia, a condition which affects the development of bones, and mum Nicole was originally intending on taking him to Germany to to watch 'people similar to him' compete in the Games.
However, she quickly learned from a friend who is involved in the event that Kristian was eligible to compete – and the 10-year-old was keen to do so.
"Kristian's favourite sport is basketball so we thought we would go and see people similar to him playing his favourite sport," Nicole said.
"However, it turned out he was old enough to compete. It was all a whirlwind but this could perhaps be the first step to the Paralympics!"
The Eighth World Dwarf Games took place from July 28 until August 5, with athletes from the age of eight to 50 competing across a series of sports.
The Games were originally due to take place in 2021 but were knocked back two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Powerlifting, volleyball, football, badminton, basketball, archery, boccia, track and field, swimming and table tennis were all on offer – with Kristian also taking part in boccia and track and field.
"The Games added a few sports that weren't there previously on request from athletes," Nicola added.
"It's definitely a community thing, and with people from all over the world it's a cultural thing too. Kristian met friends and family who he knew from before Covid and made friends with some Canadian girls. He loved playing with his team mates.
"It was important for him to see what people can achieve and see the advantages of him being small – that's what the Games were about.
"I didn't realise I would get so emotional, but I was one of those mums shouting at the sidelines."
Nicole and her partner knew pre-birth that Kristian would have a 50-50 chance of having achondroplasia, due to his father having the condition. But it's not something that has ever got in his way.
"We didn't found out until after he was born but we knew it would be a 50-50 chance from scans during pregnancy," she added.
"He never mentioned it himself until a couple of years ago – he's such a happy-go-lucky kid. He has a great group of friends in Buckie that he goes to school with and nothing stops him.
"His teacher said he never really struggles to do anything and if he does then he problem solves. It doesn't bother him in the slightest.
"He was out running with friends and told me he fell behind because his legs were small 'but it didn't matter because he was better at hide 'n' seek than them'.
Nicole thanked Dwarf Sports Association UK for supporting Kristian – as well as other athletes – and helping him attend the Games. It was the first time he had been out of the UK.
The next World Dwarf Games will be held in Australia in 2027, with fundraising already ongoing. Visit www.justgiving.com/page/help-dsascotland-get-to-the-wdgs-in-australia?utm_term=7Kyaakx98 for more information.
Before then, Kristian will compete at the National Dwarf Games in Birmingham, and there are plans to bring events to the north of Scotland.
