Floored Behan vows: I’ll be back
Then again, what else would you expect from someone who has been through so much? For Behan, appearing at an Olympics seemed an impossible dream.
As a 10-year-old, and already two years into gymnastics training, Behan developed a tumour in his leg.
“Luckily it wasn’t cancerous but the operation went wrong and I suffered severe nerve damage so I had to learn to use my leg again and I was in a wheelchair for 15 months,’’ Behan said.
At 14, Behan suffered an horrific accident while training on the bars and sustained injuries that left him confined to a wheelchair for almost three years.
It’s been a long way from there to here and Behan was understandably emotional on Saturday after two stumbles on his final two landings damaged his score significantly, ending on 13.966, a score which dropped him to 16th out of 21 overall and ensured he missed out on a final spot.
“From being told at one point that you will never be able to walk and move around without a wheelchair, to take a step onto the Olympic Arena and put my hand up in front of the judges, it’s just amazing and life-changing,’’ Behan said.
“It has been a very emotional day. I didn’t know what to think because I have been through so much ... and to actually walk out on that stage, to actually be able to walk, is something I never thought would happen.’’
Despite admitting that he hadn’t done himself justice, Behan insists the whole experience will make him stronger going forward.
“I’ve been through a lot worse and I’m a fighter, I’m going to come back and be even better. Obviously we’re all disappointed that I wasn’t able to hit it today. But to have got there and be able to hold my hand up today is an absolute dream.
“To think a few years ago I was told I had brain damage and told that this is it for you and you will never get out of a wheelchair. I’m going to come back stronger.”
Few would bet against him doing just that.
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