'Dame Tanni' call after gold glory

As the Athens games draw to a close, the Welsh contribution to Team GB has been remarkable, with athletes like Tanni Grey Thompson and David Roberts returning laden with gold.

But why has Wales come up trumps again after its success in Sydney four years ago?

And what lessons can Wales teach the rest of Britain and the world on putting its Paralympic athletes on the winners' podium?

A total of 24 Welsh athletes were selected to compete in the games this year, making up 14% of the GB team.

Like any sport, if you see someone that inspires you, like David Beckham in football, you want to follow them Karen Williams

The Federation of Disability Sport Wales (FDSW) claims some of their success was down to the fact that they are so well supported at home.

"Over the last three years - due to lottery funding - we've backed the construction of new facilities which are fully accessible to disabled athletes, and which make their lives so much easier," said director Jon Morgan.

"In Swansea, for example, there's a 50m pool where five paralympic swimmers train each day. We funded a full-time coach there, which we didn't have before Sydney, and every one of those swimmers got a medal in Athens."

He explained how these services were also available across the UK - but that Wales was making good use of them.

"We've got the edge because we're developing support structures around them," he continued.

'Grass roots'

"We've got 22 officers across Wales who develop opportunities for people with disabilities to participate and compete in sport from grass roots to elite level.

Dave Roberts goes for gold in Athens

"Instead of just being reliant on volunteers, therefore, we've also put professionals in place."

Karen Williams is one of these officers on Anglesey in north Wales, who has, among other things, set up a football club in Llangefni which sees 12 disabled players take part every week.

"That's excellent for a rural area - really really positive," she said.

"We're also trying to set up badminton clubs in all counties in north Wales, and swimming schemes to encourage non- swimmers with disabilities to have a go.

"We need to get people interested because not only does it help them but it also gives them a tremendous confidence boost.

"I'm sure the success at the Paralympics will have an affect on people thinking of having a go. Like any sport, if you see someone that inspires you, like David Beckham in football, you want to follow them."

Beverley Tucker is a Disability Sport Cymru Development Officer in Powys who has been setting up clubs in the area to persuade disabled children to take part in sport.

Rhiannon Henry won two bronze medals in Athens

"We've set up a club in Brecon where kids come along to do wheelchair basketball or trampolining.

"We are also assisting clubs to set up disabled sections, like cricket and bowls, to encourage them to make the sports more accessible.

"Some of the kids have shown real talent and have gone onto regional training centres and into competitions.

"Most come though for social and health reasons," she added.

Team GB finished second in the table behind China with 94 medals, including 35 golds.

But with China, who host the next Paralympics in Beijing in four years time, looking strong, the Welsh athletes know they cannot rest on their laurels.

But Mr Morgan said he was confident that Wales would keep producing top-class athletes.

"People like Tanni Grey Thompson and David Roberts will continue to be identified in the system and nurtured.

"Sport gives people opportunities - and disabled sport is no different."

GOLD

Aileen McGlynn (pilot Ellen Hunter, cycling 1km time trial)

David Roberts (Swimming - 100m freestyle, 400m freestyle, 50m freestyle)

Nyree Lewis (Swimming - 100m backstroke)

Walker, Edmunds, Roberts, Wellbourn (Swimming - Men's 4x100m)

Tanni Grey-Thompson (Athletics - 100m, 400m)

Gareth Duke (Swimming - 100m Breaststroke)

Emma Brown (Powerlifting - Women's 82.50 kg)

Criddle, Dunham, Pearson, Tustain (Equestrian - team open test)

Lewis, McEleny, Jones, Stidever (Swimming - women's 4x50m medley)

David Roberts trains with five other swimmers in Swansea

SILVER

Nyree Lewis (Swimming - 200m, 100m breaststroke)

David Roberts (Swimming - 200m)

Aileen McGlynn (pilot Ellen Hunter, cycling sprint open)

Liz Johnson (Swimming - 100m breaststroke)

Robinson, Rawson, Trofan (Table tennis - men's team)

BRONZE

Ian Sharpe (pilot Paul Hunter, cycling ind pursuit open and 1km time trial open)

Rhiannon Henry (Swimming - 100m butterfly, 400m freestyle)

Nicola Tustain (Equestrian Ind. Championship Test and also Freestyle Test)

Cairns, Duke, Stephens, Kindred (Swimming - men's 4x50m free)

Nyree Lewis (Swimming - 400m freestyle)