Gault reveals his final aims
Dereham's Mick Gault is ready to give it one more shot to become the most decorated Commonwealth Games competitor of all time and to take part in his first ever Olympics.
But the man dubbed Gault Finger will need thousands of pounds in sponsorship to make the double dream come true, writes Ian Clarke.
Gault (pictured) is a civil servant at RAF Marham and has officially retired from shooting. He is working part-time in a coaching role with the Scottish shooting team.
He has not competed since last autumn's Commonwealth Games in Dehli, where he won two medals to take his haul from five Games to 17.
That made Gault – who will be 57 next month – England's most successful ever competitor but left him one short of equalling Australian shooter Phillip Adams' total of 18. The Aussie took six Commonwealths to get his medals and Gault still has a steely determination to give it one last go at the age of 60 in Glasgow in 2014.
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The dream of representing his country at London 2012 Olympics also has a huge appeal.
It is money which is standing in Gault's way. He would need sponsorship of up to �15,000 to be able to devote himself to going full-time and doing the training and taking part in competitions.
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'If I could go to the Olympics I would love it and it would be a 'wow' thing for me. It would be one for the pensioners! People keep asking if I am going to the Olympics and the answer is probably not.
'There is no funding to send me abroad to maintain my qualifications and my competition fitness.
'I could train in the UK, but training is only a small part of it and I must take part in competitions.'
Gault has been working with the Scottish team at weekends and in his spare time since January. He has been British No 1 shooter since 1989 and has been British champion 13 times but will lose that position if he does not compete.
'The last time I shot was at the Commonwealths and I have retired but if someone said to me 'there's the cash' I would take it up again. I would give it my all.
'I have unfinished business in terms of the Commonwealths.'
Gault recently received a lifetime achievement award at the Pride In Breckland Awards. He heaped praise on his wife Jan, his work colleagues, the civil service and the RAF for all their support.
Anyone wanting to support Gault can contact him via the EDP office at Bond House, High Street, Dereham, NR19 1DZ. Tel: 01362 854701. E-mail ian.clarke@archant.co.uk
