JONNIE PEACOCK

Age: 28 Discipline: para athletics

As the 100m sprint champion in the T44 event ( for athletes with a single below-the-knee amputation) in both London and Rio, Jonnie is hoping to strike gold yet again in Tokyo.

And while he admits that the postponement of the games and Covid restrictions have been challenging, he’s not the type to let anything knock him off his stride.

“I have just focused on preparing myself in the best way, hoping I execute a good, clean race,” he says.

Jonnie had his right leg amputated after contracting meningitis when he was five. Inspired by watching the Beijing Paralympics, he attended a British Paralympic Association talent identification programme and was soon competing in major events.

He is thankful for the support made possible by National Lottery players:

“It plays a big part in helping us to win so many medals. The fact is that it allows us to be full-time professional athletes. We lead the world in that respect.”