Let's do it again - the Paralympics 2012

After a two week rest the energy, excitement and Olympic glow  returns to London this Wednesday. The 11 day Paralympics will see the best from around the World competing like never before in a whole range of events.  With over 4,200 athletes competing from a record breaking  165 countries, this is no longer a sideshow to the Olympics. It is the second biggest sporting event in the World, and the competition is sure to be fierce in every event.  All the regular events are there, plus some fascinating additions such as Wheelchair Rugby and Sitting Volleyball which are sure to make great viewing.

Whilst this Games is crammed full with talent and quality, there are always those who shine that little bit brighter. After plenty of discussion, Team Konkura have come  up with, in no particular order,  the three athletes who we believe will be the biggest stars of these Paralympics:-

1) Oscar Pistorius

Pistorius had both legs amputated below the knee at  11 months old. He was a star of Beijing winning an amazing 3 gold medals. Nicknamed the 'Blade Runner', Pistorius runs with the help of blade-like prosthetic limbs. His battle with Team GB's Jonnie Peacock,  American Jerome Singleton and fellow South African Arnu Fourie  is sure to be one of the highlights of this Games.  

2)  Tatyana McFadden

Wheelchair racer McFadden is a sprinter and distance racer all-in-one. Imagine Usain Bolt being the 10,000m champion as well as the 100m King! A champion at both 100m sprints and 26 mile marathons, American Tatyana combines strength and endurance perfectly  . Born with a hole in her  spine,  McFadden spent her first six years in a Russian orphanage before being adopted and brought over to the US.  Big things are expected of Tatyana, and more often than not she delivers.

3)  David Weir  

Much of Great Britain's hopes lay on the dependable shoulders of distance wheelchair athlete David Weir. At 32 years of age this will be David's fourth Paralympics' as he aims to overtake Tanni Grey-Thompson as Britain's leading athlete. Weir will race in the  800m, 1500m, 5,000m and the marathon - illustrating what a truly amazing athlete he really is. He is looking to build on his successes in  Beijing and this year's  World Championships where he won a total of 5 gold medals!  If his pedigree hasn't been illustrated enough already, David has also won the London Marathon five times! Glory at London 2012 would surely be the icing on the cake for this national hero.

Let the Games begin!