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Champion diver runs London Marathon for fellow terror victims
Ellen Widdup, Evening Standard10 Apr 2008
A sporting champion who was badly injured in a terror attack in Egypt two years ago is set to run the London Marathon.
Sam Still, a freediver, suffered shrapnel wounds to his head, upper torso and leg and broke a bone in his foot when bombs ripped through a hotel, restaurant and market in Dahab on the Sinai Peninsula.
A total of 23 people were killed in three explosions at the holiday and sporting resort. Dozens were injured.
The 26-year-old, who was unable to walk for three months after the attack, told today how he fought back to fitness and now plans to run to raise money for the British Red Cross Relief Fund for UK Victims of Terrorism Abroad.
"This was a challenge I set myself some time ago when I was feeling particularly low," said Mr Still. "It was something to aim for while I was in recovery."
Hewas in the resort in the summer of 2006 to defend his title of champion at the World Freediving Championships.
He joined a group of friends for a night out to take a break from training when the bombers attacked.
"I remember being pushed up against the banister of the restaurant. There was silence for a moment and then total chaos," said Mr Still.
"I saw a dead man lying in the street. He had been stood in front of me and must have taken the brunt of the blast. He saved my life and lost his in the process.
"I didn't even realise there was anything wrong with me at first. I just wanted to escape. Then I looked down and saw I was covered in blood."
Mr Still, who lives in Fulham, was flown back to London where he spent a month in St John and St Elizabeth Hospital, St John's Wood.
He had several operations, including a skin graft, followed by further treatment for an infected wound in his foot.
"It was pretty bleak," he said. "But the biggest difficulty I had was survivor guilt. So many people were killed and I lived to tell the tale. My friend lost her foot. I only injured mine. I could hardly complain in light of that."
Since the attack, Mr Still has abandoned his diving hobby and taken a job as an investment assistant at Brewin Dolphin.
However, he has stayed in touch with his friends in Egypt and has booked a trip to return to the resort for the second anniversary of the attack later this month.
"To return to that place is an even greater challenge than running the marathon," he said. "It is like facing my ultimate demon.
"I think it will be an important step, though, and will help me to move on.
"There are so many people, who like me, have been injured in terrorist attacks abroad.
"Events like this are life-changing and although I was very fortunate to have the support of my family to help me get the best care available, others may not be so lucky.
"Hospital bills, travel and accommodation costs a huge amount and that is why the British Red Cross fund is vital and why I want to raise as much as possible."
