Weir grabs two Paralympic medals (From Sutton Guardian)

Weir grabs two Paralympic medals

Wheelchair athlete David Weir is celebrating bringing back two medals - bronze and silver - from the Paralympic Games in Athens.

Weir, 25, a member of Velocity Wheelchair Racing Club based at Kingsmeadow, Kingston, became Britain's first track and field medallist of the Games when he took bronze in the 200m after posting the second-fastest time in the qualifying round and being drawn in the favourable fourth lane.

Weir, who had represented Britain in the Atlanta Paralympics in 1996, said: "I didn't think I was going to get a medal, but I went all out for it. I was just speechless when I was congratulated by my coaches Christine Parsloe and Jenny Archer."

Weir was disappointed not to reach the 400m final, but he added to his medal tally by picking up a silver in the 100m behind Finland's Leo Tahti.

"I was so fired up," said Weir. "I was disappointed with the 400m, so I got a couple of good nights' sleep and focused for the 100m."

Meanwhile, Weir's training partner Tushar Patel, who did not qualify for the Paralympic Games, dashed back from Athens where he was working for BBC Television to race in the Great North Run wheelchair race.

But Patel found the change in climate, as well as the challenge of Scotland's Kenny Heriot, too great an obstacle.

Herriot, who also trains with Velocity, won in 45 minutes 37 seconds, with Patel second in 52:11. Before dashing off to catch the plane back to Athens, Patel said: "I put on a couple of layers of jumpers, but it was still cold compared with Athens."

Patel was unlucky not to make Britain's Paralympic team, achieving the 5000m qualifying time the day after the deadline.