By Elizabeth Hudson BBC Sport in Athens

Photos: Day two in Athens Latest results from Athens

There was disappointment for two veterans of the British squad who failed to defend their titles on the first night of Paralympic athletics action at the Olympic Stadium.

Bob Matthews could only finish fifth in the T11 10,000m while Sally Reddin finished in the same position in the women's F54/55 shot put.

"It was a tough run and I just didn't have anything left in my legs," said Matthews, who finished over three minutes behind the runaway winner Henry Wanyoike of Kenya.

Wanyoike set a new world and Paralympic record of 31 minutes 37.25 seconds, smashing his previous record set in Lille two years ago.

My training had been going well but I just couldn't get the distances I needed Sally Reddin

"I expected Henry to go off quickly but you can't live with that sort of pace and he is in a class of his own," added Matthews

"But when the Japanese athlete went past me late on into fourth place, I just couldn't do anything about it."

Matthews and his guide runner Paul Harwood must now raise themselves again for the final of the 5,000m on Friday.

"We will do an easy run on Monday and build up the speed on Tuesday and hopefully things will go our way next time," said Matthews.

Tanni on track in 800m

Reddin had to wait almost two hours for her first throw in the competition and the wait did not suit her.

She finished with a best throw of 5.96m - well down on winner Jana Fesslova of the Czech Republic who managed a new Paralympic record of 6.86m.

"There were girls out there who were 30 years younger than me," said 57-year-old Reddin afterwards.