Team GB’s Paralympic squad are hoping to emulate the success of their colleagues as the Paralympic games in Rio kick off today (Wednesday, September 7).
Among those with eyes on gold are Dame Sarah Storey and Sophie Thornhill, who are both from Poynton, and siblings Libby and Stephen Clegg, who are originally from Bollington and will compete on the athletics track and in the pool respectively.
Paralympic phenomenon Sarah Storey has already won 22 medals in three different sports for Great Britain, including five golds in swimming – in Barcelona 1992 and Atlanta 1996 – four in track cycling and two in road cycling, at Beijing 2008 and London 2012.
Sarah will be competing in the Road Women’s C4-5 550m Time Trial today (September 7); the C5 3000m Individual Pursuit tomorrow (Thursday, September 8); and the Women’s Road Race C4-5 and Women’s Time Trial C5 on Saturday (September 10).
Sophie Thornhill, who is 20, will compete in the Women’s B 1000m Time Trial on Friday, (September 9), and the Women’s B 3000m Individual Pursuit on Sunday, (September 11).
Libby Clegg and her brother Stephen both suffer from Stargardt’s Disease, a deteriorating genetic eye condition which affects the central vision. Libby, 26, will compete in the athletics stadium in the women’s 100m T11 on Friday, (September 9), and the Women’s 200m T11 on Monday, (September 12).
Stephen, 20, will compete in the Men’s 400m Freestyle S13 on Monday, (September 12); Men’s 100m Backstroke S12 next Wednesday, (September 14); the Men’s 100m Freestyle S13 next Friday, (September 16); Men’s 50m Freestyle S12 a week on Saturday, (September 17).
