PARALYMPIC GAMES:
Your guide to all the action from Rio
JONNIE PEACOCK ATHLETICS
Peacock stormed to glory in the T44 category 100m in 2012 and became a household name. Since then, he has won one World and two European golds. We can expect a winner-takes-all showdown with his American rival, Richard Browne, on the track in Rio. Round One, Thurs Sept 8. Final Friday Sept 9.
BETHANY FIRTH SWIMMING
Bethany, 20, who won gold in the 100m backstroke four years ago when representing Ireland, has been breaking world records left, right and centre since then. At the British Para-Swimming Meet in Glasgow last year, Firth set new benchmarks in three events within her S14 classification for athletes with learning disabilities. 100m backstroke (S14) Thurs Sept 8. 200m freestyle (S14) Sun Sept 11. 100m breaststroke (S14) Wed Sept 14. 200m Individual medley (S14) Sat Sept 17
DAME SARAH STOREY CYCLING
One of the most remarkable stories in sport continues as the 38-year-old heads to her seventh Paralympics with a grand total of 22 medals to add to. Storey competed in four Games as a swimmer before switching to cycling in 2005 and another gold would see her surpass the 11 won by wheelchair racer Tanni Grey-Thompson and swimmer Dave Roberts. 500m Time Trial Sat Sept 10. 3k Individual Pursuit Thur Sept 8. Road Race and Road Time Trial – The Rio road cycling is between Sept 14-17, events tbc
ALFIE HEWETT AND GORDON REID Wheelchair Tennis
Reid and Hewett won the wheelchair doubles at Wimbledon this year and have now set their sights on winning gold in Rio, where they will be among the favourites. Scotland’s Reid, 24, also won the inaugural wheelchair singles title at SW19, while Hewett, 18, helped Great Britain win the World Team Cup - the equivalent of the Davis Cup - last year. Men’s doubles start on Sat, Sept 10. Final is on Thurs, Sept 15.
HELENA LUCAS SAILING
After being the first Briton to win a Paralympic sailing gold four years ago, Lucas was also the very first Team GB athlete to be selected for the Rio Games last year. The 41-year-old (below, right), who was born without thumbs and with limited movement in her arms, could be the last-ever gold medallist, with sailing dropped from the Tokyo 2020 programme. Sailing in the 2.4mR class single person keelboat is from Sept 12-Sept 17.