Danny Crates facts for kids
Crates – Paralympic Gold Medallist and former world record holder, now a motivational speaker
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Nationality |  United Kingdom |
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| Born | 9 February 1973 Orsett, Essex, England |
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| Spouse(s) | Single | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other interests | Rugby, Scuba Diving, Motivational Speaker | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Website | www.dannycrates.co.uk | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country | Great Britain | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Athletics | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Disability class | T46 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Event(s) | 400 metres, 800 metres | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Ayo Falola | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Retired | 25 July 2009 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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| Updated on 1 May 2015. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Daniel Brian Crates (born February 9, 1973) is a British athlete who used to compete in track and field. He was especially good at the 800-meter race. Danny, as he's often called, once held the world record for his event in the Paralympics. He won many gold medals in big competitions like the Paralympic Games, European Championships, and World Championships. Besides running, he also plays competitive rugby and is a trained diving instructor.
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Danny Crates' Early Life and Start in Athletics
Danny Crates was born in Orsett, a town in Essex, England. In 1994, while he was in Australia, Danny was in a car accident. This accident caused him to lose his right arm. After this, he decided to start a new path in athletics.
He competed in events for athletes with arm amputations, known as T46 events. Danny quickly became a top athlete.
Paralympic Achievements
Danny Crates proudly represented Great Britain in two major Paralympic Games.
Sydney 2000 Paralympics
His first big Paralympic appearance was at the 2000 Summer Paralympics in Sydney, Australia. There, he competed in the 400-meter sprint. Danny showed great skill and won a bronze medal in this event.
Athens 2004 Paralympics
After the Sydney Games, Danny decided to focus on a longer race. He switched from the 400-meter to the 800-meter event. This change proved to be a great decision. At the 2004 Summer Paralympics in Athens, Greece, Danny achieved his biggest dream. He won the gold medal in the 800-meter race.
World Record Holder
In 2004, Danny Crates set a new world record in the 800-meter race. He ran it in an amazing time of 1 minute and 53.27 seconds. This record was set at the AAA Championships.
Other Major Wins
Danny Crates also had many other impressive victories throughout his career.
European and World Championships
- In 2001, he won a gold medal in the 400-meter race at the European Championships.
- He continued his success in the 800-meter event, winning gold at the European Championships in 2003 and again in 2005.
- In 2003, he also won gold in the 800-meter race at the World Indoor Championships.
- He won another gold medal in the 800-meter race at the first-ever Paralympic World Cup in Manchester in 2004.
Beyond the Track
Danny Crates is not just a runner; he has many other interests and achievements.
Rugby and Torch Relay
He enjoys playing competitive rugby. What's special is that he plays with teams made up of players who do not have amputations. In 2008, Danny had the honor of carrying the Olympic torch through London. He was also chosen to be the flag bearer for Great Britain at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing.
Retirement from Athletics
Danny Crates officially retired from competitive athletics on July 25, 2009. His last race was at the London Grand Prix held at Crystal Palace. He finished third in his final race. Throughout his amazing career, Danny won a total of 11 gold medals and 1 bronze medal.
Life After Running
Since retiring from athletics, Danny Crates has become a popular motivational speaker. He travels around, sharing his inspiring story and encouraging others. He has also made many appearances on television.
- He was part of the UK Channel 4 commentary team for the London 2012 Paralympics.
- His autobiography, a book about his life, was published in 2012. It is called Danny Boy.
- In 2017, he was part of the presenting team for the 2017 BDO World Darts Championship on Channel 4.
- He is a regular guest reporter on BBC's Food: Truth or Scare.
- In 2015, Danny took part in the TV show Celebrity MasterChef.
- Most recently, he was part of the Channel 4 commentary team for the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
