RIO Paralympics cycling commentator Neil Smith, who lives in Watchet, is home again after a thrilling ten-day visit – knowing that at one time up to 12 million viewers were hanging on his words.
And for the man who has coached the likes of Paralympic cycling gold medallist Jody Cundy and London Paralympic winner Mark Colbourne, and picked up numerous coaching and other awards along the way, commentating in Rio for Channel 4 has been a fantastic experience.
“It’s the first time I’ve worked overseas commentating and it was amazing to be there and be part of it, also quite surreal at times,” said Neil, whose usual day job is global head for part of a worldwide IT networking company.
“There were 12 million viewers on Saturday and, when you hear the numbers, you’ve got to pinch yourself – you can’t get your words wrong or a lot of people are going to know!”
With four days of track cycling to comment on, he was extremely proud of Team GB’s eight gold, two silver and two bronze medals.
“For the Paralympic team to take more medals in the Velodrome than the Olympics, is very good,” he said.