Bring on the Paralympics

THE Olympics finish today, but there is still plenty of sport to look forward to as the truly uplifting Paralympics take centre stage in Rio early next month.

Four years ago in London these games came of age.

Athletes were at last judged on their abilities and treated as Olympic heroes rather than being patronised.

In the Paralympics, you find the true Olympic spirit.

These games are uplifting, emotional and inspiring.

These athletes deserve to be cheered on by big crowds, and to have the chance to compete at the highest level.

We are all expecting great things from Team GB this year and I am really looking forward to watching our nation’s finest compete against the best in the world.

Hopefully, the organisers will manage to get everything into place.

After all, we were told that the Rio Olympics would be an utter shambles and, apart from a few hiccups, it somehow all came together.

They were a triumph for Team GB and sport in general.