Armed Forces Day 2012

Paralympic Athlete Highlight

Hannah Russell (Great Britain)

Sport: Swimming

At 15 years, turning 16 years in August, Hannah Russell’s Paralympic debut will see her as one of the youngest member of the GB Paralympic Team. Her selection was a surprise to her as she was originally focused on training for the 2016 Games in Brazil.

Following on from last year’s European Championships in Berlin where she won silver in the 100m backstroke and bronze in the 100m butterfly, she has continued to shine in the recent British Paralympic trials. At these trials she amassed five qualifying times including setting a European record in the 100m backstroke.

Quote of the Week

“Know me for my abilities, not my disability.”

Robert M Hensel

Guinness World Record Holder for the longest non-stop wheelie in a wheelchair, covering a total distance of 6.178 miles.

Paralympic Athlete Highlight

Will Bayley (Great Britain)

Sport: Table tennis

Currently ranked Number 1, Will Bayley is a definite contender for a Gold Medal in the London Paralympic Games 2012.

He made his debut aged 20 years in Beijing and narrowly missed out on a medal position.

Will Bayley was born in Poole, Doreset and was born with a condition called Arthrogryposis affecting all of his limbs. When he was 7, he was diagnosed with cancer and underwent chemotherapy at Great Ormond Street Hospital, London.

In 2009, Will was ranked 3^rd in the world and has steadily moved up in the rankings through wins in the European Championships in Croatia last year. He is now top of his class seven rankings.

Quote of the Week

"Disability is not a ‘brave struggle’ or ‘courage in the face of adversity.’ Disability is an art…It’s an ingenious way to live."

Neil Marcus, playwright

Paralympic Athlete Highlight

Aaron Phipps (Great Britain)

Sport: Wheelchair Rugby

Aaron competes for Team GB and Cardiff Pirates.

Aaron initially competed in Wheelchair Racing from 2007 onwards, was introducted to Wheelchair Rugby in 2009. He made his debut at the 2009 European Championships in Hillerod, Denmark, where the team achieved a 4th place finish.

Phipps lost both his lower legs and his finger tips after contracting meningitis as a teenager.

He is a real advantage to the team and he is a key offensive threat due to his speed and power around the court.

In a recent interview with Channel 4, Aaron was asked about representing Team GB at the Paralympics and said "It is the highest level an athlete can compete at and it would be amazing to represent your country."

Quote of the Week

"The only one who can tell you 'you can't ' is you. And you don't have to listen."
Nike

Paralympic Athlete Highlight

David Weir (Great Britain)

Sport: Athletics

After winning Gold medals in the 800m and 1500m in the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, Britain's top wheelchair racer and track athlete will be aiming to add to his medal collection.

Weir made his debut in 1996 at the Atlanta Paralympic Games and London 2012 will be his fourth Games appearance (he did not compete in the 2000 Sydney Paralympic Games).

This year has already been a highly successful year for Weir as he collected his sixth London Marathon victory, equalling the record of Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson.

He is competing in four events in London; the 800m, 1500m, 5,000m and the marathon.

Quote of the Week

"ONLY POSSIBILITIES".

John Maclean
Paraplegic Athlete