There were emotional scenes at the Paralympics on Saturday morning (AEST) when star Australian backstroker Benjamin Hance won gold.
Swimming in the 100m backstroke S14 event, Hance comfortably won the final just hours after setting a world record in his heat (56.52 seconds).
When he touched the wall in the pool, it was then he immediately thought of his late father.
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He pointed to the heavens and said the words: “I love you, Dad.”
The impressive swim meant Hance (who has an intellectual impairment) became the first man to win consecutive gold medals at the Paralympics.
But the 24-year-old only had thoughts for his father, Anthony Charles Hance, who died three months before the Australian swimming trials in Brisbane.
Tony Hance was just 55 years old.
“(It’s been) the worst year of my life,” Hance said.
“I’m glad this season is over.
“There’s my dad dying, for sure … and there’s also other things I won’t mention on camera that happened to me that could have ruined my life, as well.”
Hance said his father meant the world to him and had been an influential figure in his life.
“I was just thanking my father for everything he’s done,” he said.
“He always loved my backstroke and I’m glad I gave him a gold medal tonight, for sure.
“I’ve never dealt with death, and I just wanted to win the gold medal for him.”