Strongman Ged eyes weightlifting title... at 75!

HE ain’t heavy, he’s my great- grandson . . . Ged with four-week-old Lewis Jones

AS our athletes limber-up for the start of the Olympic Games in Beijing on Friday, a super-strong Oldham great-grandfather is preparing to jet-off for a remarkable golden quest of his own.

Seventy-five-year-old Ged Mullane will fly the flag for Team GB at the European weightlifting championships in the Czech Republic.

Mr Mullane, from Towers Street, Waterhead, is well into his training for the gruelling task which will see him compete with men 15 years his junior in October.

As part of the contest, Mr Mullane will join the Masters Group for athletes over 60. The former electrician is aiming to lift 230lbs, around 16-and-a-half stones.

Fitness fan Mr Mullane, who has four children, nine grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren, used to run for Salford Harriers.

He first hit the Oldham Chronicle headlines in the 1960s when his six-mile morning run to work in Salford would beat the number six bus into Manchester.

After taking up weightlifting 35 years ago, he won the British Championships in 1983 and came second in the World Championships the same year.

He said: “I’ve always been quite fit and I think running for Salford Harriers made me that way.

“I’d run six miles to work, and between seven and 15 miles at night.

“I took up weightlifting late in life. I should think I’m one of the oldest competing in October.

“I’m not nervous now but I will be on the day.”

While most of his peers enjoy more genteel pastimes, Mr Mullane is pumping iron three times a week down at Rhino’s Gym on Ripponden Road.

He added: “I can’t see myself taking up something like bowls — it’s too hard on your back!”