Nathan Smith's eyeing gold

The community's best wishes and support will be with local cycling star Nathan Smith who will be making his Paralympic debut in London.

Mackays Pharmacy in Stratford, where Nathan is a pharmacist, sent a book filled with signatures and messages from locals and staff, to Nathan with his wife Crystal who last week flew to London.

Nathan, aged 36, is one of six cyclists selected for the New Zealand Paralympics track cycling team.

He earlier told the Stratford Press that he is eyeing the gold in the 3km track-pursuit at the London Paralympics. He was on the limit of qualifying for the last Paralympics, held in Beijing in 2008, but didn't pursue it due to the imminent birth of his daughter, Saskia.

"He is such an inspiration to a lot of people. It has been a privilege to be part of his journey," says colleague Tash Southorn.

He is a true-blue sportsman; older brother of All Black Conrad Smith. Nathan had to forgo his career in rugby after losing his lower left leg in a car accident in London in 2007. He was playing for the London club at the time.

He took up cycling after meeting a fellow-amputee who suggested he take up the sport. And with the support of his uncle, Cleve Reed in New Plymouth, he entered the racing scene making his international debut at the 2010 paracycling world champs in Canada where he placed eighth in the C3 road race.

The Paralympics is on from today to September 9. Nathan's race times are (New Zealand time): men's C3 kilo August 31 at 1am; men's C3 individiual pursuit August 31 at 10.50pm; men's C3 time trial September 5 at 9.30pm; men's C3 road race September 7 at 1.30am. For live streaming, see www.paralympics.or.nz