Blesma Member Jon-Allan Butterworth MBE, who became the first British veteran injured in Iraq or Afghanistan to win a Paralympic gold, retired from professional cycling in December after an 11-year career.

“I wanted Tokyo to be my last Paralympic Games, but when they were postponed I knew I would have to spend another 18 months sacrificing a lot of things and training in lockdown,” said the 35-year-old former RAF Weapons Technician.

“It’s hard to live the Paralympic cycle life, and I realised I’d be more gutted if I committed to training and the Games didn’t happen than missing them if they did take place.”

Jon-Allan began his cycling career just 10 weeks after his arm was amputated due to injuries suffered in an attack at the Basra Air Station in August 2007. He set a world record in the C5 Kilo time trial at the 2011 World Championships before competing at London 2012, where he won silver medals in the C4-5 1km, C5 individual pursuit and C1-5 mixed team sprint.

He went on to become part of GB’s mixed team sprint squad at the Rio Paralympics in 2016, where he topped the podium to become the first British veteran to win a Paralympic gold. In his 11-year career, Jon-Allan won 10 World Championship medals, including four golds.

“My proudest moment was winning gold in Rio, but getting to represent GB again was incredible,” said Jon-Allan, who is currently working for a cycling company.