A PARALYMPIC champion was back home in Verwood on Thursday struggling to come to terms with having one of his gold medals stolen.

Darren Kenny, 34, was mugged in London in the early hours of Wednesday as he returned to his hotel after celebrating his success at the British Olympic Association's Gold Ball at the Savoy Hotel.

A gang of six thugs set on the disabled cyclist, who won two gold and two silver medals at the Paralympics in Athens last month.

They fled with one of his treasured gold medals, his mobile phone and cash.

Yesterday the father-of-one, who suffers from cystic fibrosis and is paralysed down his right side, said: "I feel so stupid that something like this has happened to me but at least I wasn't hurt.

"I don't remember much about the incident, which took place at Charing Cross as I was going back to my hotel. I had taken one of my gold medals along to the gala evening because people always like to see them.

"It's heavy but I don't suppose it's worth much to anyone else. To me, it's irreplaceable and very precious. I still can't believe this has happened.

"I wouldn't have handed over the medal willingly but I suppose I didn't stand much chance against six people. I'm just glad I'm okay."

Kenny, who is a member of the Bournemouth Fircroft Arrow Hotel club, took two golds in the European Championships last autumn and was named the Royal Variety Club's disabled sportsman of the year in June.

First published: October 15