Paralympian Jody Alan Cundy to join Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 hopeful Jody Cundy is well known for his many world championship titles and gold medals, but he once hit the headlines over a very controversial disqualification.
Back in 2012 at the London Paralympics, the cyclist was left furious after he was demoted to last place in the C4-5 1km time trial as he represented Great Britain.
Seconds into the race, the cyclist stumbled off the starting block on his bike and immediately called for a restart.
The defending champion and his team blamed a fault with the equipment for his turbulent start as his back wheel slipped when released from the gate.
After deliberation, event officials denied him a second chance and claimed it was his error.
Such a decision was met with jeers from the crowd and a very expletive rant from Jody.
Pictures from the moment show the cyclist slamming a water bottle onto the floor and he's also quoted as yelling: "I've just wasted four f****** years of my f****** life."
After he was escorted off the arena, he continued: "I fell out of the gate because the f****** gate didn't open.
"I've wasted four years of my life to ride in front of 6,000 people. Do you know what it's like to dedicate four years of your life... I can't even express it, there aren't the f****** words.
"I'll never ever get this opportunity again, never, ever. What am I supposed to do now?"
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Jody later returned to the trackside to apologise for his language and expressed his disappointment at not being able to show what he had worked for.
Four years after the incident, the cyclist said he was "still hurt" by the decision, but was moving on.
He told Great British Life: "It was that once-in-a-lifetime chance to win a Paralympic gold at home.
"But in saying that, I couldn’t have done more since then or at Rio to put that right, so with three world titles since London in the kilo alone and taking gold in Rio in both the kilo and team sprint, I am moving on and not holding on to what could have been."
Jody made up for his disappointment and went on to win two Paralympic titles in Rio four years later.
The lower-leg amputee has represented Great Britain at seven Summer Paralympics winning eight Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals across swimming and cycling events.
He has also competed in multiple World Championships and is the holder of 23 world titles.
Most recently, he won his 14th consecutive world kilo title at the UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow earlier this month.
Jody has a whole new competition ahead of him next month when he takes to the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor.
The cyclist admits the show is far out of his comfort zone, but that he is up for the challenge.
Those also in the running to win the Glitterball Trophy are: Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Layton William, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Eddie Kadi, Angela Scanlon, Zara McDermott, Adam Thomas, Nikita Kanda, Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier, Nigel Harman, Annabel Croft and Les Dennis.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on September 23.
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