So So Gay
As the Paralympic Games comes to a close, it’s time for So So Gay to cast an eye over the five most memorable and significant moments.
David Weir
David Weir completed a near Herculean feat by winning four gold medals at these games in the 800m, 1500m, 5000m and marathon distances in the T54 classification for wheelchair athletes.
Weir showed his dominance in all four events when he accelerated clear of his competitors, roared on by the cheers of the crowd and earned the moniker the ‘Weir Wolf’. The sound of howls were deafening as he claimed each medal.
Sarah Storey
Sarah Storey also won four gold medals in the track and road cycling events. The former Paralympic swimmer switched to cycling due to an ear infection after winning 16 Paralympic medals, including five gold medals, in the pool between Barcelona 1992 and Athens 2004. Storey will add these four gold medals to the two she won in Beijing.
The most memorable of her four victories was in the final of the women’s individual pursuit when she caught the other finalist within the first 1500m of the 3000m race.
Ellie Simmonds
Ellie Simmonds provided some of the most memorable moments in the pool on her way to winning two golds, a silver and a bronze medal and cementing her status as the poster girl of the Paralympic GB team.
Storming down the last 50 meters of the 200m individual medley, Simmonds overtook Ukraine’s Oksana Khrul who had lead from the start to finish 10 metres clear of the rest of the field.
Jonnie Peacock
The rest of the field could not match the power with which Jonnie Peacock left the blocks at the start of the final of the men’s 100m T44 final. The 19 year-old world record holder in the event demonstrated that he has the potential to dominate the event for many years as he swept away his idol and inspiration Oscar Pistorious, who was also a contender for gold.
Chants of ‘Peacock, Peacock…’ echoed around the capacity crowd at the Paralympic stadium.
Martine Wright
Martine Wright must be considered one of the most inspirational athletes. A victim of the 7/7 terrorist attacks in London, she pulled on the number 7 jersey to compete in the sitting volleyball. Despite the Paralympic GB team losing every match 3-0 and finishing eighth out of eight teams, there is a lot to be remembered about the team’s efforts and how Wright overcame tragedy to even be at the games.
