Paralympic Fans In Love With Aussie Swimming Hero Grant 'Scooter' Patterson

We've been able to witness some remarkable athletes grace the Paralympic stage in 2021.

But it seems one Aussie bloke has become everyone's personal favourite in Tokyo.

PA

After 13 years of rigorous training, Grant Patterson AKA "Scooter" has finally won a Paralympic medal, clinching a silver in the SB2 50m breaststroke event as well as a bronze in the 150m medley.

Having failed to quality for the 2016 Rio Games, it's the ultimate redemption tale for a man whose life story alone until this point is incredible to say the least.

In the pool, Scooter's talent is unquestionable.

But it's his impact on dry land within the Australian team and around the Tokyo village which he'll be truly remembered by.

By all accounts, the 32-year-old loveable larrikin is a pleasure to be around and an inspiration to the younger athletes coming through.

Scooter has diastrophic dysplasia, a form of dwarfism, which he often cracks jokes about and gives insights on.

His easy-going nature and quick wit has lead meany to believe that he has career opportunities waiting for him which will extend far beyond Tokyo itself.

Besides, Scooter has already been pronounced the unofficial mayor of his hometown Cairns.

Speaking to News Corp after winning his first ever Paralympic medal, Scooter thanked everyone for the overwhelming support and love he has received throughout his journey.

"It's going nuts," he said.

"I'm very thankful for all the people back home that are supporting me but I nearly need a receptionist here to answer all the messages because I don't like to leave people short."

The fan favourite swimmer also revealed that he has received fan mail from a bunch of big-name celebrities as well as some super models.

"That's very touching, it's really special so I make sure I reach out to them and give them my email and number," Scooter added.

"I tell them that if they ever want to chat about some of the challenges in life that they have to overcome, which is a lot, I'd be more than happy to help in anyway, because I never really had many people to talk to when I was growing up in Cairns... there wasn't someone like me walking around."

What a hero.

A bright future certainly awaits Scooter when he touches back down on Australian shores.

Topics: tokyo paralympics, swimming, Paralympics, Australia

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry