ATHENS, Sept. 21 (Xinhuanet) -- What can a man achieve in a physical sport, lining up with a field of young guys who still have several years to go to reach half of his age?

    At an age of 47, when most of his childhood playmate have been enjoying the retired life full of family happiness, British Kenny Cairn is here to struggle in an elite sports event, normally a stage for the twentieths.

    But wait a moment. On his resume listed a big bunch of honors, including five Paralympic gold medals, four of which were won at his debut 20 years ago.

    An even more convinctive fact is that he came here as a defending champion of the men's S3 100m freestyle.

    However, he was no longer the king of the event after anther four years, leaving the pool with a fifth on the opening day of the swimming program in the Athens Paralympics.

    Things seemed to be out of his reach.

    But two days later, he came up to prove himself a great swimmer to break the Paralympic record in the S3 200m freestyle heat in a time of 4:08.14.

    However, the age finally came to affect his speed. In the final of the event Tuesday night, the youngsters dominated the pool to grab the first four places and a new world record and Paralympic record.

    "Well, it is really tough this time," said the British wheelchair user, "Anyway, I am satisfied.

    "I love swimming, so I won't stop. I am still strong."

    With no medals on his neck, the 47-year old man is still smiling and with or without a medal, he turned out a winner over his disabilities.

    That is a kind of smile with the magic to move and inspire everyone around him. Enditem (by sportswriter Shen Nan)