Young blind athlete from Hillsborough goes for gold in Dubai

Sixteen-year-old Freddie Wallace, who is a student at Friends’ School in Lisburn, has been a part of City of Lisburn Athletics Club since he was 10 and is now part of UK Athletics Para Futures programme.

A passionate sportsman, Freddie played rugby until his vision deteriorated and he now concentrates on running 100m and the long jump.

"He has a condition called Rod Cone Dystrophy which is a degenerative condition that he was born with but we weren’t aware of it until he was nine and he started to struggle to see work on the board at school,” explained his mum Alison.

“Freddie enjoyed rugby at Lisburn minis and was able to play until second year at school when his vision deteriorated and he had to stop.

"He has been doing athletics from he was 10 and is a member of City of Lisburn Athletics Club and coached by Michelle Rea."

After joining the UK Athletics Para Futures program, Freddie was selected to travel to Dubai along with guide Harvey King for International classification and to compete at the World Para Grand Prix.

"Athletics NI advertised for a guide for Freddie in August 2025 and Harvey responded to the ad,” Alison continued.

"He has to be faster than Freddie so that he can speak to Freddie throughout the race and let him know what stage of the race they are in.

"It has been a completely new experience for both of them.

"They have had several weekends in Loughborough at camps and competitions and are getting to know and trust each other.

" Dubai was the first time they had raced 100m together and it was a huge personal best for Freddie at 11.86 seconds.

"They were there for 10 days along with other members of the UK athletics futures programme.”

Freddie and Harvey are now hoping to qualify for the Para Commonwealth Games later this year.

"They are competing again in Lee Valley, London on March 8 with the aim of running a time that will qualify them for the Commonwealth Para Games in July 2026,” added Alison.