Team GB’s success got us pumped... now we want the same, says star Paralympian
SPRINTER Jonnie Peacock has said ParalympicsGB are “pumped up” and ready to get more medals than in London thanks to the country’s “astronomical” success in Rio.
The current Paralympic champion in the T44 100m sprint said Team GB have given the Paralympic team a boost and the athletes were ready to emulate their success.
Speaking days before he travelled to Brazil for the 2016 Games, the 23-year-old said: “The medal table speaks for itself. It is an astronomical achievement.
“When you see the gymnasts and the track cycling, these people are pulling it out of the bag. They are not looking at barriers any more, just getting medals. It gets you pumped up and excited. Now we want a piece of that. Team GB’s success will ensure that athletes go in there with confidence. We want to emulate that success. We want to be just as good, if not better.”
Peacock, who had hi s right leg amputated below the knee aged five after suffering from meningitis, predicted ParalympicsGB, who st art their campaign in Rio de Janeiro on September 7, could take home more medals than in London.
“We [ParalympicsGB] are always proud of what we can achieve. We have a strong team and a chance of winning lots of medals. Especially off the back of 2012, as a home games always brings through new talent.
“I am excited to see how well we can do. We want to keep accelerating and carrying on the success so far. Nothing is out of reach.”
He added: “I know the athletics team is strong. You have to be able to medal just t o make the team nowadays — that’s how high the standard is.” Pe acock said there was more pressure on him to perform in Rio — admitting he “didn’t know what he was doing” at London 2012.
The Loughborough-based sprinter said: “I was naive. I had no idea what I was doing and I didn’t care about the pressure. This time, it’s very different. People know about me and I am the reigning champion.”
When asked if he could get gold again, he said: “All I can ask for is a personal best. I know I will be difficult to beat if I do a personal best.”
Peacock was speaking as an ambassador for the World ParaAthletics Championships, which takes place in the former Olympic stadium from July 14 to 23 next year. The IAAF World Championships, also in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, will follow from August 4 to 13.
Pe a c oc k said t hat havi ng bot h contests in the same stadium was a “huge step forward” and that it would be a “dream” to compete in London again: “Nothing would beat going back to the stadium where it began for me. All being well I will be there and I’m excited to see what I am capable of.”
The race is on for tickets to the IAAF World Championships and World ParaAthletics Championships in London in 2017. The ticket application window closes on 29 August 2016. Don’t miss out! Get yours now: tickets.london2017athletics.com