People have spent the past 48 years suggesting to Arnott Kidd that it is probably about time he retired from competitive sport.
As a 27-year-old, he felt almost apologetic when asked if he was still playing rugby, but querying his continuing longevity as a 75-year-old triathlete meets with a more defiant declaration.
“I can’t see any reason why should I stop,” insists the Edinburgh man, before softening his stance. “You see people who really are an embarrassment to themselves so as long as I’m in the main body of the race and not trailing in at the end I’ll still do it, but I’d definitely opt out if I got a patronising clap at the end after coming in last.”
That day still seems some way off for this remarkable competitor after a year of unprecedented success.
Gold medals in the 75-79 age group at both the European Duathlon and Triathlon championships were followed by a duathlon silver at the worlds in North Carolina, with Kidd only denied a third gold by a puncture. Not that he has any regrets at not completing a clean sweep; had he not been in the transition stage at the time and able to perform a 30-second wheel change, he would not have rescued any reward from an event he first participated in in 1995, a year after taking up the sport...
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