Articles

Related Content

Richard

Whitehead

Jody

Cundy

Aled

Davies

The London 2012 Paralympics - officially the greatest Games ever.

From the record crowds creating amazing atmospheres to the volunteers who made sure everything  went smoothly with a smile on their face.

But what was it like to be at the heart of the action? We asked the stars of the ParalympicsGB squad for their favourite memories and what the Games meant to them.

Aaron Phipps (Wheelchair rugby)
@aaronphippsGBWR
- My proudest moment was when I was doing a lap and thanking the crowd after the game against the USA. Through all the hussle and bustle my little girl, who is 13 months old, double took me, recognised me, got all excited and tried to lean forward for a cuddle. 
- Most exciting was going out of the tunnel in front of a sell-out crowd. The sound was amazing at first I wasn't sure how I was going to concentrate through all that noise. Most humbling moment was going out in the park and being swamped by people and children who wanted autographs. They all knew who we were as well.
- The Games meant so much. This was more than just a competition. The sacrifices, the lifestyle, the time away from your family for this one big event. I am ashamed to say that I was sceptical about how we would pull it off but didn't we just? The Games all came down to people though, the gamesmakers, the fans, our family, friends and team-mates. It would have been nothing without these.

Sarah McPhee (Wheelchair basketball)
@sarahmcphee15
My favourite London 2012 Paralympic moment was definitely spotting two young (non-disabled) boys at the NGA having a race and one boy announcing that he was Jonnie Peacock! Seeing disability being portrayed in this way was just incredible.  #InspireAGeneration

Amy Marren (Swimming)
@swimstar2008
Walking out to the 17,000 strong aquatic centre crowd in both heats and finals! The most amazing experience of my life! Thank you!

Leigh Walmsley (Archery)
@auberginearcher
It's impossible to name one moment! From the minute we entered the village until the minute we left was the best time of my life! The highs made the Paralympics the most incredibly special event of my life. Can we do it again please?

Myles Pearson (Wheelchair rugby)
@myloshae
The banter in the tunnel before we pushed out in front of 10,000 people to play our first match against the USA. It's not a bad crowd for a game of wheelchair rugby!

George Fletcher (7-a-side football)
@Fletcher_94
The proudest moment was when I realised that I was not just representing England but Scotland, Wales and Northen Ireland - they were all counting on you and proud of you. And there was a quote we used that I think is amazing: "It's not about the name on the back, it's about the name on the front."

Jonathan Adams (Athletics)
@Jonathanadamsgb
Favourite moment of the Games was David Weir winning four gold medals as I was sharing a house with him. It was just great to see our team breaking boundaries! The Games have been life changing. To be in London for my first Paralympic Games has just been inspirational and brought the Games home!

Amy Brierly (Sitting volleyball)

@smileybrierly
The best moment was stepping out to 10,000 for my first game at the Pralympics. Nerves and excitement were tough to control!

Natasha Baker (Equestrian)
@NBakerParaRider
Favourite moment was walking out of the arena on my horse JP to the roar of the crowd in Greenwich Park after completing my gold medal-winning test. I think that the perception of disability has changed. People are now looking at ability not disability. It has left a legacy.

Jack Bridge (Swimming)
@swimmer_JB10
My favourite moment was the roar from the crowd just after I got on the block at the start of my 100m Breastroke SB9 heat! It was something I'll never forget!

Pippa Britton (Archery)
@pippabritton
I met a mum of a spina bifida girl and she told me I'd given her faith for her future. If I've inspired just one person, that's my Games complete.

Jon Pollock (Wheelchair basketball)
@jon_pollock09
Favourite moment was our first game in front of the Great British public and listening to their support and roar on our first basket. The Games meant to me we could show the nation what a wheelchair basketball nation we are and a sport they would love!

My favourite London 2012 moment has to be THAT shot - David Wetherill

Dan Greaves (Athletics)
@DiscusDan
My favourite moment was my final throw: having 80,000 people in the palm of your hand willing you to win. The support and atmosphere was out of this world.

David Wetherill (Table tennis)
@Wetherill89 
My favourite London 2012 moment has to be THAT shot. I think it perfectly sums up the experience and what it means to me. I couldn't even hear my coach's reply (whether the ball had touched the table) due to the crowd going wild. That support, best experience ever.

Gemma Almond (Swimming)
@GemmaAlmond
My favourite moment would have to be walking out to the crowd in my two finals, the noise is something I won't forget. And the Games meant a lot. To have your first Games in your home country is a dream come true, definitely one of the best experiences of my life where I made so many memories and feel so privileged to have been a part of biggest Paralympics ever.

Joe Dodson (Goalball)
@Joe_Dodson 
Games to me were a huge impact on life. The experiences I got and to showcase our sport on the biggest stage ever. The feeling of the crowd - the wall of noise as I call it - when we walked out was sensational. The experience of the parade will never leave me. Humbling.

The Games meant the world to me  - Niall Graham

Jamie Burdekin (Wheelchair tennis)
@JamieBurdekin1 
My favourite moment was definitely wheeling through the tunnel and going into the stadium at the Opening Ceremony as I was at the front of ParalympicGB. 80,000 people screaming, going crazy and cheering us on. That memory will stay with me for the rest of my life. Priceless memories.

Niall Graham (Goalball)
@niallgraham6 
My favourite moment of 2012 was playing in front of my home crowd and getting a point on the board for the goalball men's team.  The Games meant the world to me and I know it's not going to be my last Paralympics.

Dan James (5-a-side football)
@OCTOPUSDEEJ 
David Clarke's last goal, celebrating with him and then leading a tribute over the PA system at end of game vs Turkey on behalf of the squad. To thank him for what he has done for his country and the inspiration he has been. A standing ovation reduced many to tears.

Aled Davies (Athletics)
@AledDavies2012
Walking out into an incredible, fully packed stadium. Crazy. Loved it. Breathtaking.

Emma Hollis (Swimming)
@emmahollisGB
 Must be the cheer from the crowd when I walked poolside with my foot in a cast. Everybody was so supportive!

Olivia Breen (Athletics)
@BreenOlivia 
The Games have been the best thing that has happened in my life! Getting to three finals and getting a bronze medal in the relay! I also really enjoyed the parade and meeting the famous Olympians. I have really enjoyed it all!

People with disability now have the platform to do - or be - whatever they want - Richard Whitehead

Sally Brown (Athletics)
@SallyyBrownn
My favourite moment was stepping into the stadium the first time and having every single person in that crowd 100% behind us. It meant so much being part of something that everyone will remember for years!

James Roe (Rowing)
@JamesRoe2012 
The highlight of the Games for me has to be the British crowds. From the atmosphere, which they created during our final at Eton Dorney, right through to the the parade through London, the support of the public has been inspiring and completely overwhelming.

James Roberts (Sitting volleyball)
@jamesoroberts11
Coming out before our first match against Russia. It was an honour and pleasure to represent GB at a home Games.

Rob Richardson (Sitting volleyball)
@RobRicco 
My favourite moment was serving for our first win at London - 8,000 people stamping their feet and making the whole place shake! The Games have been incredible for me, but more incredible is the public's reaction to us athletes - finally, true understanding of what we do.

Richard Whitehead (Athletics)
@Marathonchamp
Apart from standing on the podium with 80,000 people singing the national anthem with me, I would say the support of the Gamesmakers was my favourite memory! Unbelievable support, fantastic energy and always helpful. The Games for me highlighted that Paralympic perceptions have changed. People with disability now have the platform to do - or be - whatever they want.

The British public and Gamesmakers should be so proud of themselves - Terry Bywater

Gabi Down (Wheelchair fencing)
@gabidown_98 
Favourite moment was coming out of the tunnel to compete and beating the Paralympic champion in my fight for the team. The Games for me meant trying to inspire the next generation and using my age to show that anything is possible.

Terry Bywater (Wheelchair basketball)
@TerryBywater07
The parade was amazing and something that will never happen again unless we win a World Cup (haha). The Games for me was a dream come true but the British public and Gamesmakers should be so proud of themselves. It was my fourth Paralympics but by far the best. They really did make it special - it was the proudest moment of my life and so proud to be British.

Morgyn Peters (Swimming)
@Morgyn_peters
My favourite moment would have to be when my room-mate Josef Craig won in the 400m free S7 gold.

Naomi Riches (Rowing)
@NaomiRiches2012
 Seeing the look on my boyfriend's face after winning gold knowing we were feeling the same; joy, relief and pride. He is my biggest supporter and best friend as well as my boyfriend. Also seeing the set of Lego men of Pam, me, Dave, James & Lily was pretty cool.

Sam Ruddock (Athletics)
@samruddockT35 
My favourite London moment was when I ran my personal best in the T35 200m. To go from incredible fatigue to sheer joy in the space of a second on that finish line when the times were announced in front of 80,000 was unlike any other feeling I've experienced. The Games were a stepping stone for my development as a sprinter (that's only been doing it for six months) but even after Rio has been London will be the one I remember and cherish most.

Dan Powell (Judo)
@DanPowell_Judo
Everything was a highlight for me but the biggest was coming out of the tunnel at the ExCeL Centre to a wall of noise. It was brilliant!

Ross Wilson (Table tennis)
@Rosswilsontt
My favourite Paralympic moment was when we walked out in to the crowd at the Opening Ceremony and the roar for ParalympicsGB was amazing. Best experience of my life!

The Games were a turning point for Paralympic sport - Jody Cundy

Craig McCann (Wheelchair fencing)
@CMcCannGBR
I would say that to me the Games have given me the experience, the hunger, stronger determination and bigger dreams that will help propel me to Rio, beyond and podium finishes. Also some very good memories...

Ben Quilter (Judo)
@BenQuilterJudo
I can't give you one best moment, just too many:
1. The amazing atmosphere inside the ExCeL when I won my bronze medal and the relief I felt at getting through it without injuring my knee further!
2. Me and the judo boys getting a Mexican wave going round the whole stadium that amazing night at the track.
3. The Parade through London in front of the best crowd I have ever seen and of course Boris's speech! Boris for King.

Sarah Grady (Wheelchair basketball)
@sgrady05
I have loads of favourite moments but the one that always brings a smile to my face was when we all sat crammed into our coach's living room watching the opening ceremony on the TV together all dressed up in our Opening Ceremony outfits! We were all gutted we couldn't go, but we spent it together and still had a good time. Playing wheelchair basketball for Great Britain is something I'm extremely proud of, and the Paralympic Games in London meant I could do something I loved in front of a home crowd; especially a lot of my friends and, more importantly, family who otherwise may have never seen me at a Paralympic Games. I hope that we have inspired a generation and that the legacy of this games lives on, I know I felt inspired by other Paralympians who competed, surely the general public did as well?

Ibs Diallo (7-a-side football)
@Ibs_Diallo
My best moment of the games was my opening game against Brazil. The noise and support we received from entering the Riverbank was breathtaking. The Opening Ceremony was also a moment which captivated the support from our nation, it made me proud to be representing my country.

Louise Sugden (Wheelchair basketball)
@Louisesugden13
My favourite moment of the Paralympics was when Jonnie Peacock won the 100m because he did it with such style. The Games for me was a way to showcase disability sport to the world and it was also a way to make wheelchair basketball a more recognised sport. It also united the country and the support was overwhelming. It felt like the whole country got behind the Olympics and Paralympics and full embraced its values.

The Games meant so much to me as a Londoner - Susie Rodgers

Jody Cundy (Cycling)
@jodycundy
My favourite moments are the pin-drop silence before 80,000 spectators erupted into cheering during the T44 100M final, and Rachel Morris and Karen Darke crossing the line hand-in-hand for the bronze in the H2/3 Women’s Road Race. For me the Games were a turning point for Paralympic sport, when Paralympians were finally recognised for their sporting achievements over their disabilities. These were the Games that put the Paralympics on the map and I’m glad I paid my part in them.

John Worrall (Sitting volleyball)
@wozza33
My greatest moment was experiencing the support and reaction of the crowds for the first time. We played in front of near sell-out crowds every game which was amazing. It meant everything to me to be part of London 2012. To represent my country at the top level of my sport at the greatest sporting competition in the world was fantastic and an honour. Add in the fact that it was on home soil in front of a home crowd, I feel very humbled that I could be part of history.

Murray Elliot (Archery)
@murrayelliot
My favourite London 2012 moment was the instant the cheer went up and the ticker tape cannons went off as we walked into the stadium for the Opening Ceremony. That was my 'switch on' moment and the first time I'd ever experienced such an amazing crowd in such an amazing venue. My second favourite moment was finding my wife in the GB crowd during that parade and spending the final few minutes sharing it with her. I have dozens more favourite moments - it was an experience of a lifetime in so many ways I lost count.

Pamela Relph (Rowing)
@PamRelph2012
I think the best moment for me (other than winning my gold medal of course!) was the parade through London. I felt so proud to be a celebrating the success of Team GB and ParalympicsGB as one team together. It was truly inspiring to see how many people came to line the streets of London even after the closing ceremony. For me the Games meant a coming together of the whole nation. Everywhere I went I was greater with such support and I felt that I was racing not only for myself but for the whole country.

Being in London was the most fantastic experience - Nyree Kindred

Susie Rodgers (Swimming)
@Susie_Rodgers
My favourite moment was touching into third on my final race and a new European record. The roar lifted me even higher and I was so glad that my last performance was a good one because I knew that so many of my friends and family had come that night to see me. The Games meant so much to me as a Londoner. I have trained for four years in this city and to get a medal was unbelievable. It was an unforgettable experience for all those involved and the best three weeks of my life. I could talk about it forever!

Abdi Jama (Wheelchair basketball)
@AbdiJama10
My favourite moment was playing the first game against Germany. The way the crowd supported us was amazing and the Games were just incredible and I'm so proud to be British. The best Games I've been to - even better than 2008.

Nyree Kindred (Swimming)
@nyreekindredgb
One of my favourite moments of London 2012 would be seeing Josef Craig storm to gold in a new world record in the 400m freestyle. A fantastic swim by a young swimmer who clearly thrived off the crowd cheering him on.  But I think my favourite moment of the games would have to be touching the wall at the end of my 100m backstroke race and realising I had won a silver medal and then seeing my one-year-old daughter in the crowd clapping and cheering at me along with 17,500 other people. 

Being in London was the most fantastic experience, there was definitely a home advantage as the crowd got behind everyone and the atmosphere at the pool and Olympic Park were fantastic.  Having been my fourth Paralympics this one most certainly exceeded my expectations and certainly the most memorable. The London 2012 Games meant more to me than any other because I was competing just 14 months after giving birth, and to win a silver medal with my daughter in the crowd made it far more special and meaningful than ever before. Knowing my coach was there to see me achieve after all the hard work which meant I was able to share this with her. 

My best moment was actually my worst moment too - Dan Highcock

Sharon Vennard (Archery)
@sharonvennard
My favourite moment was hugging my husband after he had watched me compete for the first time ever. I had won my match, he was emotional, I was emotional and it was just very special. The Games to me meant an opportunity to show the world that Paralympians were elite athletes with as much drive, determination and sporting prowess as the Olympians.

Dan Highcock (Wheelchair basketball)
@DanHighcock5
London 2012 was an amazing experience. I got selected in 2000 for Sydney and was dropped from the team a few weeks before it started as I was late for training. Then, as a result of this, I had a huge bust up with the coach and was fully dropped from squad for the next four years. I was then put back into the team just before Athens and missed out on that and then I was a reserve for Beijing! So as you can imagine 12 years of hard work and getting selected for London meant everything to me!

My best moment was actually my worst moment too - when we lost the bronze medal game I remember pushing to the four corners of the court with tears in my eyes, absolutely gutted but at the same time in awe and overwhelmed at how much support we had by the crowd who were all on their feet applauding us. It was a standout moment in my life and I will never forget it!