London 2012 Paralympics: Athletics


If you're playing tourist in London at the moment, then it's likely a trip to the Olympic Park is on your to-do list. Last Sunday we headed over there as we had tickets to the evening session of the Athletics. I thought it was exciting going to the Beach Volleyball at the Olympics but the Athletics was *even* better!

Queues to get into the Olympic Park and Olympic Stadium were pretty much non-existent, and we had a great view from our seats. We could only get the mid-price tickets (£35) but we had no complaints with the seats - we had a cracking view of the Athletics. Dad especially lucked out as he's over 60 which meant that his ticket was only £5. Considering that you get a Zone 1 - 9 travelcard with each ticket - which costs £20.20 - it's sort of like he got paid to go there, if you think about it!

On your marks, get set... go!

Great Britain won one gold medal that evening: David Weir's 5000m T54 win. The atmosphere and noise in the Stadium when he won was absolutely electrifying and somewhat deafening - I've never experienced anything like it before. David has three golds now; here's hoping that he can make it four!

Team GB also picked up two silver medals that evening and we got to see the Discus F42 medal presentation by Kate Middleton - the final had taken place in a previous Athletics session and it was her only medal presentation ceremony of the Paralympics, so far. Gold for the Discus F42 happily went to British Paralympian Aled Davies.

It was wonderful to be asked to stand for the National Anthem and hear "God Save The Queen" sung loud and proud on home turf. As David Weir's win was the last win of the evening, we didn't see his medal ceremony - that takes place at the next Athletics session.

It was quite unsportsmanlike that some people left the Olympic Stadium after Oscar Pistorius didn't win the T44 200m, as expected - Alan Oliveira got the gold, whilst Pistorius claimed silver. Alan is pictured below left, celebrating his much-deserved win.

The centre picture above shows the super cute Mini cars that take back the thrown javelins and other field equipment - I want one of these! The right-hand side photo is the Long Jump final - we saw that final,  as well as the Discus and Javelin finals, plus all the track events were finals, apart from one 400m heat.

We had an incredible time at the Athletics and I'm so glad that I got to go. Team GB is currently second in the medal standings so here's hoping that we stay there!

Have you been to any of the Paralympic events? x

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