Final medals push as Paralympic Games close
The Paralympic Games closing ceremony will bring the curtain down on an extraordinary sporting summer tonight – but not before British athletes make their final medal push.
Thousands of people are expected to line the streets of the capital this morning to watch Paralympic hero David Weir go for a quadruple gold crown in the T54 wheelchair marathon.
The 33-year-old, whose trademark “Weirwolf” howl has become one of the sounds of the Games, will speed past some of the world’s most recognisable landmarks in the race.
Fellow Brit Shelly Woods will also be going for gold in the T54 female marathon as the final six events of the Games get under way.
ParalympicsGB has smashed through the 103 medal target, having now won 118 – including 33 gold – and sit third in the medals table.
Last night saw Paralympics poster boy Oscar Pistorius end his games with a gold medal in the showpiece final track race of London 2012.
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The South African left the rest of the field trailing behind as he sped to the 400m finish line to bring the curtain down on the action in the Olympic Stadium.
Earlier in the day swimming sensation Ellie Simmonds was unable to win her third gold – despite producing the fastest swim of her life.
The smiling 17-year-old sent the Aquatics Centre into raptures in the S6 100-metre freestyle final.
But she narrowly lost out to rival Victoria Arlen to bag a silver – to add to her two golds and a bronze.
Her win came as David Stone won Great Britain’s 33rd gold medal of the Games in the mixed T1-2 road race at Brands Hatch.
The 31-year-old, who has cerebral palsy and rides a tricycle, took the 24-kilometre road race to win his third Paralympic gold medal.
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London 2012 bosses will later reveal who will be Britain’s flagbearer at tonight’s ceremony, with wheelchair racer Weir tipped as heavy favourite.
They yesterday gave a taste of the Olympics final hurrah, which will take place in front of a sell-out crowd in the stadium.
Organisers said the ceremony will take on a festival feel – featuring flames, armed forces personnel and a legion of “travellers”
British chart-toppers Coldplay will play an “unusual setlist” designed to represent the seasons of the year.
But organisers refused to confirm whether American stars Jay-Z and Rihanna would be among those joining Coldplay on stage.
Members of the Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy – who helped with security during London 2012 – have been invited to attend.