Team Paralympic GB outperform Olympic counterparts

Paralympic athletes returned home on the 17th September from the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, a month after the close of the Olympic Games.

Team Paralympic GB outstripped expectations in Beijing as they flew home with twice as many medals as their Olympic counterparts, 102 in total placing them second in the leader board for the third Paralympic Games in succession. Team Paralympic GB was behind host nation China and ahead of the USA and Australia.

With four gold medals and one silver, cyclist Darren Kenny was Britain’s most successful individual competitor, while swimmer David Roberts took his overall Paralympic medal haul to 11 with four golds in the Water Cube, and Lee Pearson won three more equestrian golds to take his personal tally to nine.

In my opinion, the Paralympic Games were very reminiscent of the Olympic Games in August. Team Paralympic GB rode to their victory collecting 12 out a possible 16 medals for cycling and excelled in the rowing and equestrian events, rather like their Olympian colleagues.

Furthermore, London Mayor Boris Johnson received the Paralympic flag in the closing ceremony at the Bird’s Nest stadium where we witnessed the reappearance of the red bus which was previously criticised by Chinese in closing ceremony of the Olympic Games.

The Paralympians will join the heroes parade in Central London on 16 October 2008, announced by Mayor Boris Johnson last month.

Boris Johnson was delighted with the performance;

“They have delivered for us – now we must deliver for them, and for all disabled Londoners and visitors. Our team have tremendous heart and ability. It is up to us to provide the infrastructure so that they can excel. I have no doubt we will.”

Both Olympic and Paralympic athletes have set the bar very high for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

By Danielle