A SOUTH Ayrshire athlete has been selected to compete in this year’s Paralympic Games for Team GB.

Callum Deboys, 25, has been chosen to compete in the Para Nordic Skiing event at the Beijing event this month in China.

Team GB have this year selected five athletes to compete in the Para Nordic Skiing competition, after Scott Meenagh became the first British athlete to compete for 20 years at the PyeongChang Winter Games in 2018.

This year, Meenagh is joined by fellow military veteran Steve Arnold with both set to compete in the biathlon and cross-country events.

They will be joined in both events by debutant Callum Deboys, from Kirkmichael, who was inspired to take up the sport after meeting Meenagh.

They will be joined by Hope Gordon and Steve Thomas.

Local lad Callum lost his left leg in a road accident in 2017 which left him comatose for a month.

When he awoke he adjusted to his new life and decided to try and become a paralympian.

He’ll take part in arduous cross country and biathlon events on the world stage next month. But his journey was hardly smooth, the young man suffered another road incident last year after being knocked from his bike.

Callum, speaking to the International Paralympic Committee, said: “After my accident the best recovery for me was to set myself challenges and also just being in the right place at the right time.

“I was training to become a rower at Strathclyde Park with my coach John Blair and he then put me in contact with Scott Meenagh.

“Scott gave me the opportunity to come and train with the Armed Forces Para-Snowsport Team at the snow tunnel in Germany. I just fell in love with the sport.”

Phil Smith, ParalympicsGB Chef de Mission at Beijing 2022, said: “I am absolutely delighted to be able to confirm ParalympicsGB will be taking one of our biggest ever Winter teams and one that promises to be our most competitive across a wider range of sports and events than ever before.

“The determination, strength and resilience each of these talented athletes has shown as they have continued to train and compete during these most challenging times has been incredible and I have no doubt that they will once again unite and inspire the nation with their performances at Beijing 2022.

“We are looking forward to using Beijing to build on the success of the past two Paralympic Winter Games and further enhance our reputation as an emerging winter sport nation.”

The Games take place from March 4-13.