British stars of past, present and future played leading roles at Wednesday night’s Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony, watched by a crowd including the Queen, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prime Minister David Cameron.
Wheelchair Tennis star Peter Norfolk carried the British flag in the athletes’ parade for a GB party featuring many of the 300-strong home team – the biggest at these Games – and their support staff. In all, 4,200 athletes from 164 countries were represented.
Norfolk, the 51-year-old Wheelchair Tennis player seeking his third successive Quad singles gold medal at these Games, led the team into the arena to the strains of David Bowie’s Heroes, the anthem that greeted Sir Chris Hoy and Team GB at the Olympic Games Opening Ceremony a month ago.
Norfolk said: “When I was waiting in the tunnel and they gave me the flag I just thought, Wow! Then to come out into the packed stadium, in front of a home crowd of so many people, just means so much to me.
“And the fact I was voted flagbearer by my fellow athletes, many of who have won more medals than me and are the most incredible athletes, it is just so special.
“These Games are going to be fantastic and I hope we can all go on to achieve our dreams here.”
Norfolk’s doubles partner Andy Lapthorne said: “I was so proud for Peter – he is one of my closest friends, so it was unbelievable to see him with the flag. The whole thing has been unreal.
“That was definitely the best experience of my life. To come out and hear all these people cheering for us. It was unbelievable.”
Tennis player Louise Hunt said: “I loved every second of it. We are really grateful for all the support we are getting.”
And her team-mate Jordanne Whiley added: “The crowd was amazing. I had a bit of a tear in my eye when we came out.”
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