Scott Meenagh

{{Short description|British Nordic skier and biathlete (born 1989)}}

{{Infobox sportsperson

| name = Scott Meenagh

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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1989|9|16|df=y}}

| birth_place = Cumbernauld, Scotland

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| disability_class = LW12

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| worlds = 2023

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| paralympics = 2018, 2022

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Scott Meenagh (born 16 September 1989) is a British para Nordic skier and former British Army soldier. Meenagh came second the 12.5km individual biathlon event at the 2023 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships, and competed at the 2018 and 2022 Winter Paralympics.

Early life and Army career

Meenagh is from Cumbernauld, Scotland.{{cite web |url=https://gbsnowsport.com/any-regard-for-your-own-welfare-is-out-the-window-scott-meenagh/ |title="ANY REGARD FOR YOUR OWN WELFARE IS OUT THE WINDOW" – SCOTT MEENAGH |publisher=GB Snowsport |accessdate=16 February 2023}} He played rugby union for Scotland under-18s.

Meeangh served in the British Army Parachute Regiment, and was deployed to Afghanistan.{{cite news |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/sport/23282680.meenagh-shows-make-second-chance-life/ |title=Meenagh shows how to make most of a second chance at life |work=The Herald |date=28 January 2023 |accessdate=16 February 2023}} In 2011, he lost both of his legs after stepping on an improvised explosive device in Helmand Province.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/scotland/42723337 |title=Winter Paralympics 2018: Scott Meenagh on losing his legs and finding a purpose |work=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2018 |accessdate=16 February 2023}}{{cite news |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/local-news/paralympic-athlete-inspires-kids-talk-14096571 |title=Paralympic athlete inspires kids with talk on his recovery from leg-loss horror |work=Daily Record |date=6 March 2019 |accessdate=16 February 2023}} He was rehabilitated at Headley Court,{{cite news |url=https://www.eadt.co.uk/news/21515393.the-fire-belly-lit---essex-paratrooper-scott-meenagh-hopes-paralympic-glory-para-nordinc-skiing/ |title='The fire in my belly was lit' – Essex paratrooper Scott Meenagh hopes for Paralympic glory in Para-Nordinc skiing |work=East Anglian Daily Times |date=12 January 2018 |accessdate=16 February 2023}} and now uses prosthetic limbs. Meenagh was a spectator of the Paralympic Nordic skiing events at the 2014 Winter Paralympics in Sochi, Russia.

Sports career

Meenagh competed in rowing, and was a captain of the British Army team at the 2014 Invictus Games. He failed to qualify for the 2016 Summer Paralympics.

Meenagh joined the Armed Forces Para Snow Sports team in 2016.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/disability-sport/64425089 |title=Para Nordic World Championship: Scott Meenagh wins historic silver medal |work=BBC Sport |date=27 January 2023 |accessdate=16 February 2023}} Meenagh was selected for the 2018 Winter Paralympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. He was the first British Nordic skier at a Paralympics for 20 years.{{cite web |url=https://planetski.eu/2022/02/23/winter-paralympics-gb-squad-announced/ |title=WINTER PARALYMPICS GB SQUAD ANNOUNCED |publisher=Planet Ski |date=23 February 2022 |accessdate=16 February 2023}} He finished 17th in the 15km free cross-country event.[https://www.paralympic.org/static/info/PWG2018/resPWG2018/pdf/PWG2018/CCS/PWG2018_CCS_C73A_CCSM15KM----09070-----FNL-000100--.pdf Sitting results] In biathlon, he finished 16th in the 7.5km event,[https://www.paralympic.org/static/info/PWG2018/resPWG2018/pdf/PWG2018/BTH/PWG2018_BTH_C73A_BTHM7.5KM---12050-----FNL-000100--.pdf Sitting results] 13th in the 12.5km event[https://www.paralympic.org/static/info/PWG2018/resPWG2018/pdf/PWG2018/BTH/PWG2018_BTH_C73A_BTHM12.5KM--12050-----FNL-000100--.pdf Sitting results] and 14th in the 15km event.[https://www.paralympic.org/static/info/PWG2018/resPWG2018/pdf/PWG2018/BTH/PWG2018_BTH_C73A_BTHM15KM----12050-----FNL-000100--.pdf Sitting results]

Meenagh was selected for the 2022 Winter Paralympics. He finished 12th in the 18km classical event,{{cite web |url=https://www.paralympic.org/beijing-2022/results?disciplineId=03d798bc-e2a7-3b8c-8b6f-b13c6547b849&eventId=f60ff7d1-20eb-3e2b-9e92-56049bb3ac51 |title=Men's Long Distance Sitting - Results |website=paralympic.org |access-date=5 March 2022}} and was part of the first British relay team to finish the 4 × 2.5km relay event at a Paralympics, alongside Steve Arnold, Steve Thomas and Callum Deboys.{{cite news |url=https://www.skysports.com/olympics/news/12040/12565177/neil-simpson-caps-golden-paralympics-winter-games-as-great-britains-flagbearer-at-closing-ceremony |title=Neil Simpson caps golden Paralympics Winter Games as Great Britain's flagbearer at closing ceremony |work=Sky Sports |date=13 March 2022 |accessdate=16 February 2023}}

Meenagh came second in the 12.5km individual biathlon event at the 2023 World Para Nordic Skiing Championships. He was the first Briton to win a medal at the Championships, and he also finished fourth in the 7.5km individual biathlon event. He was the only British competitor at the Championships.