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Paralympian David Smith: I’ll risk life for Rio 2016

Paralympian David Smith says he is putting off life-saving surgery to remove a spinal cord tumour, so he can attend the 2016 Games in Rio.

Briton Smith, 37, was first diagnosed with a tumour in 2010 whilst training for the London 2012 Paralympic games.

Despite undergoing life-threatening surgery and having to learn how to walk again, he went on to win gold in rowing.

However, whilst cycle training for the 2016 Paralympics 11 months ago, his tumour returned and he was told he needed surgery that could leave him paralysed.

Smith said he might “never cycle again” after surgery, so he was planning to “seize the moment” and “give everything” he had to make it to Rio.

This clip is originally from 5 live Daily on Tuesday 22 September 2015.

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