Thanks due to all our athletes

THERE has been much discussion about the legacy the Olympics will leave since the spectacular opening ceremony.

Last night, attention was focused on the Olympic village, this time as the Paralympic games came to a spectacular close.

As the torch was extinguished for the final time, we were left with just memories of a magnificent chapter in sporting history for the UK.

What a few weeks it has been. As a nation our chests should be swelled with pride at the achievements, not just of our athletes, but of the volunteers who made the games special, the organisers who orchestrated the mammoth logistical task – and of each other for ensuring event after event enjoyed capacity crowds.

There is little doubt the likes of Jess Ennis, Sir Chris Hoy, Ben Ainslie – in fact every member of Team GB – did and will continue to inspire others to aim for the stars.
Last night it was all about our Paralympic stars and their success in shattering the medal target of 103.

The “superhumans”, as they have been dubbed, proved no mountain is too high; no challenge too tough to overcome.

Inspiration? Yes, they have provided it in bucketloads.

Legacy? It is clear there is an appetite to take things forward – for the next generation of athletes to move through the ranks and continue the successes of 2012.

Great Britain may not be as geographically large or as populous as some global sporting powerhouses. But it will take on the best of them any time, any where. That much has been proved this summer.

To our Olympians and Paralympians we bow – and offer thanks to them, for giving us their all.