Davy Zyw wants more than his own name written in the history books

Davy Zyw made history on his debut at the Paralympic Games, but there is only one thing he wants consigned to the history books.

The Edinburgh-born Para snowboarder finished 18th in the men’s SB-UL snowboard cross seeding, and in doing so became the first-ever Winter Paralympic athlete to compete with motor neurone disease (MND).

But Zyw had not lost sight of the power of his platform after achieving the feat, as he called for a better future for others diagnosed with the degenerative condition.

“The reality is, I’m delighted to make history here, but I really want to banish this disease to history. Using this platform, I want to help find a cure for this currently incurable condition,” said the 38-year-old.

“But I’m overjoyed. I’m over the moon to be here. Not only to be representing my country on the grand stage, but the fact that I’ve made history being the first-ever Winter Para-athlete with motor neurone disease.”

It was another moment of conflicting emotions for Zyw, who has described his journey to the Games, following his diagnosis in 2018, as a “tragic beauty”.

While he has fulfilled lifelong ambitions of a snowboarding career, he has also had to make huge sacrifice as he spends long stints away from his family to pursue those dreams.

And with the life expectancy after diagnosis averaging one to two years for those with MND, it is a sacrifice made all the more poignant for Zyw who is already defying the odds.

But his Paralympic debut will represent lifelong memories for his wife and young son and provided a moment he will cherish.

“It means the world, particularly for my young son and wife. I’ve been a bit of a vacant father for the last 18 months chasing this dream,” he said.

“The fact that they’re here and came to see me race and enjoy this experience in the beautiful Dolomite sun. It means the world to me and I’m proud.”

But Zyw is not just settling for an appearance at the Games, having fought off a knee injury to just make the start line in Cortina.

With the snowboard cross finals to do, he has more work to do in his aims to add more pages to the history books he is already beginning to fill.

“The reality is I’ll probably be in the pre-heats tomorrow which gives me a bit more time on snow,” he said.

“I’m inspired and honoured to be riding alongside amazing athletes and we might be friends in the pen, but we’re competitors on the track and I hope I do my best tomorrow.”