2243: The moment you have all been waiting for, let’s look back at some of the best images of a monumental evening…
2252: But, despite his Games record-equalling run, Peacock is not my Paralympian of the Day. Instead, I’m going for the man who made this all possible, the man who inspired many, including Peacock, to take up Paralympic sport…
2300: And with that the curtain comes down on a truly unforgettable night, the likes of which the Paralympic Games has never seen before. Ladies and gentlemen, it has been an honor and a privilege to guide you through such a momentus Paralympic evening. I cannot wait for tomorrow. I’ll see you bright and early in the morning. Goodnight!
0940: What a picture that is. The 100m T44 gold medal winner Jonnie Peacock hugging his dear old mum. Her boy lost his leg to meningitis at the age of five, but last night beat an elite field, including his hero Oscar Pistorius, to claim his first Paralympic medal.
0950: What of Pistorius? The South African five-time Paralympic gold medalist finished fourth in what was billed as the greatest race in Games history. But the “Blade Runner” was honored to have taken part in an event which thrust the Paralympics into the media spotlight:
“It's unbelievable to be a part of this race. I was just pipped at the line. I got to be a part (of) and witness a great race. It's been a long week, I had the relay and I'm tired. I need to re-focus.
"Even if I get beat, it's not about me. I've had a great week. (LOCOG chief) Sebastian Coe has proved that the Olympics can be just as big as the Paralympics."
The 25-year-old returns to the track at the end of day nine, running in the heats of the 400m T44 -- his favorite event.
1001: There wasn’t a dry eye at Brands Hatch on Wednesday, when Italian Alex Zanardi won a Paralympic gold medal at his first Games. A former F1 driver, Zanardi lost both of his legs following an horrific CART crash 12 years ago.
His comeback has been astonishing. He won last year’s hand cycling New York marathon and took gold in the individual H4 time trial. He goes for a second gold today in the men’s H4 road race at 1630 London time.
1022: Matthew Cowdrey made history on Thursday, becoming the most successful Australian Paralympian of all time. The 23-year-old won his 12th gold medal in the men’s 200m individual medley S9 last night and he goes again in the 100m freestyle today.
Cowdrey’s ambition heading into the Games was to become the greatest Australian Paralympian of all time. Now he's done that, who knows what Cowdrey will go on to achieve.
1036: Make sure your eyes are fixed firmly on the Olympic Stadium at 1925 London time, because that is when the fastest Paralympian of all time takes to the track. Forget Peacock, forget Pistorius, the title belongs to Ireland’s Jason Smyth. He won the men’s 100m T13 final for visually impaired athletes in a world record time of 10.46, that is lightning fast. He looks nailed on to seal 200m glory tonight, the only question is how fast can he go?
1054: Matt Cowdrey, back in the pool and back out in front. The Australian has just set the fastest time in the heats of the men’s 100m freestyle S9:
"I'll be out there tonight swimming as close as I can to the world record (55.30 seconds, which he holds). I think I can definitely swim faster (than in the heat).
"It's been a long meet, but I got a really good sleep last night. I was quite smooth and controlled and there's definitely a lot more there. We'll see what happens tonight.
"After the 50m free' and everything (achieving his 12th Paralympic gold medal, an Australian record) it was emotionally draining, but I feel a lot better this morning.
"As much as we say (lack of) sleep doesn't have a negative effect on performance, it definitely does."
1107: It’s all about southern hemisphere swimmers this morning. Natalie du Toit’s farewell race will be tonight’s 100m freestyle S9, after the South African qualified fastest from the heats:
"I'm excited because it's been a long week, a long 10 days. I'm a bit sad too, but the next couple of months I'll be busy with sponsors and those people that have really helped me along the way.
“They are really the ones who have kept me going, otherwise I think I would have gone out of the sport long ago.
"I think I should be able to suppress it, but there is a bit of sadness. It's been many years of my life, it has taught me a lot of lessons. Travelling the world has been an eye-opener. It's always going to be sad leaving the sport."
Du Toit became the first amputee to compete in the Olympic Games in 2008 and she hopes her story will encourages others take chase their ambitions.
"Looking back, it's not inspiring (a generation), it's about showing people it is possible. Hopefully people go out there and live life to the fullest, whether it be disabled people, old, young, whatever.
“Every day you can learn. I was always given the advice that 'the day you stop learning is the day that you will die'."
1130: It is yet another gold for China, Yam Zhiming breaking the men’s javelin F40 world record with his final throw of the competition. Is there a plane in the world capable of carrying the sheer weight of gold China have won at theses Games? That’s 71 now, 184 medals in total.
1202: Goalball is a sport unique to the Paralympic program which culminates with today’s gold medal matches in the men’s and women’s tournaments.
The sport, played by athletes with visual impairments, involves three blind-folded players on each team attempting to roll a ball into the opposition’s net.
In the men’s event, none of the 2008 medalists have made it to the final, with Brazil and Sweden going head-to-head at 2000.
The women’s final pits Beijing silver medalists China against Asian rivals Japan, with that match starting at 1500 in the Copper Box.
1239: Zhiming saw two of his rivals break the world record prior to his final throw of the competition, meaning he had to throw further than anyone ever had before to clinch gold. That is precisely what he did:
"It's so exciting. I used to dream about that but I didn't think this would become true.
"When they broke the record, I felt so excited for them. I just thought that I needed to calm down and start thinking about how I could improve my next throw."
1253: Another world record has tumbled in the Olympic Stadium. Ukraine’s Oksana Zubkovska has leapt to women's F11/12 long jump glory with a winning distance of 6.60 meters.
Ukraine are enjoying a fantastic Games, sitting fourth in the medal table with 28 golds and 69 medals in total.
1256: For those of you hoping for a shock in the women’s wheelchair tennis final, it’s not looking likely. Esther Vergeer, looking for a 470th win in a row, has won the first set against fellow Dutchwoman Aniek van Koot 6-0 in just 23 minutes.
Is there any point in sending opponents out against her? Just give her the gold medal at the Opening Ceremony, that’s what I say.
1354: What can you say about Esther Vergeer? She has not lost a match since January 2003. Compared to her, Roger Federer and Victoria Azarenka are club players. Has there ever been a winning streak like it in the history of sport?
1400: A touching moment down at Brands Hatch, as British teammates Rachel Morris and Karen Darke cross the line holding hands in an attempt to share the bronze medal in the women's H 1-3 road race.
Unfortunately, it had to go to someone and it was awarded to Morris.
Morris, who won the event in Beijing, saw her preparations for these Games thrown into disarray when she was hit by a car while practising in July. What a comeback!
The U.S. dominated the race, with Marianna Davis taking gold and Monica Bascio finishing in the silver medal position.
1415: After trying an array of different sports, it would seem Britain’s Josie Pearson has finally found her niche.
A promising show jumper in her youth, Pearson was involved in a car crash which killed her boyfriend and left her with permanent spinal damage.
Determined to remain in sport, Pearson trained as a wheelchair racer before taking up “murderball”.
Pearson’s ability was such that she was included in the British men’s team for the 2008 Games, where they finished just outside of the medals in fourth position.
This time around, Pearson was going in the women’s discus F1 51/52/53 competition.
The 26-year-old won gold, delighting the 80,000 spectators inside the Olympic Stadium. A thoroughly hard-earned triumph.
