Being British I never expect anything amazing to happen to us, and when I went to watch the Paralympics on Saturday I didn't expect anything spectacular to happen either... boy was I wrong! Sitting in the Olympic stadium I'd been watching some amazing athletes from around the world all morning. Ranging from visually impaired sprinters to paraplegic shot putters.
At 11.23am the 200 metres T42 men's finalists came out of the athletes tunnel to go to their starting blocks. One of the athletes was British so when they called out his name, Richard Whitehead, he got a big old cheer from the crowd. Moments later the crowd fell silent as the athletes prepared for the start of the race. Some were standing and some were crouched for the start, depending on their disability, then BANG they were off! My heart fell a little at first as our man was quite slow out of the blocks and at the back straight away but I cheered him on despite expecting him to come last.
About 50 metres in he started to catch up with the pack, lifting my hopes for maybe 7th or even 6th. "Go on Richard" I shouted, encouraging him to stick with it. Out of the curve Richard was 6th, meeting my hopes for him. 10 metres out of the curve he started to pass 5th and 4th places. I stood up as I felt an incredible feeling of elation for him. As everyone started to stand and cheer louder, you could feel everyone's energy helping him push himself further than he ever has.
Richard zoomed past the last two athletes of the race winning by a clear 10 metres and breaking the world record! Far surpassing my expectations and hopes. Teaching me that although you might start off slow you can become a record breaker with a brilliantly British stiff upper lip!
Well done Mr. Richard Whitehead, you are an absolute LEGEND!