Wednesday 29 August 2012

Day-by-day guide to the London 2012 Paralympics


Your indispensable day-by-day guide to the London 2012 Paralympics


Euro champ: Will Bailey
Euro champ: Will Bailey

THURSDAY AUGUST 30

EVENT OF THE DAY
CYCLING - WOMEN'S INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT
Former swimmer and seven-times gold medallist Sarah Storey goes for the first of four golds in the velodrome at 4.30pm.
THE BEST OF THE REST EQUESTRIANISM - TEAM TEST
Lee Pearson will overtake Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson to become Britain's second-most decorated Paralympian if he wins three gold medals in his dressage events. The 38-year-old, who has nine golds to his name, gets his campaign under way at 9am.
MEN'S TABLE TENNIS
The Chinese took all the gold medals at the Olympics but Britain's Will Bayley is determined not to let that happen at the Paralympics. The 24-year-old from Kent is the world No 2 and European champion and is the hot favourite in the Class 7 category from 5.20pm.

FRIDAY AUGUST 31

EVENT OF THE DAY
WOMEN'S SITTING VOLLEYBALL
London 7/7 bombings victim Martine Wright and her team face Ukraine in the first of their Pool A matches. 9am.
THE BEST OF THE REST
MEN'S 5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
Ballbearings in the ball, blind players and fully sighted goalkeepers. This won't be dull and Britain face Spain first at 5pm.
CYCLING - MEN'S INDIVIDUAL PURSUIT
Britain's Jody Cundy and Jon-Allan Butterworth are rivals for gold. Cundy is a former swimmer, Butterworth a former serviceman. The final is at 2pm.
Survivor: Martine Wright is in the sitting volleyball team
Survivor: Martine Wright is in the sitting volleyball team

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 1

EVENT OF THE DAY
ATHLETICS - MEN'S 200m HEATS
Oscar Pistorius, the Games' international superstar, begins the defence of his T44 200m title - one of three he won in Beijing. The South African competed at the London Olympics ago and will race at about 8.20pm for a place in the final. Pistorius should reach the final but will have a job on his hands to defend his title as he has concentrated on the 400m in recent years.
THE BEST OF THE REST
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
Britain's flagbearer Peter Norfolk and partner Andy Lapthorne go in the quad doubles quarter-finals from 11am. Norfolk won bronze in Beijing and is looking for a medal at a third successive Paralympics.
CYCLING - WOMEN'S 500m TIME TRIAL
It's attempt No 2 for Sarah Storey - who won two titles in Beijing - in her bid for four golds. The 34-year-old has a chance to grab this title and add to her medal collection. She's the hot favourite too in the 2.30pm final.
Going for gold: Peter Norfolk
Going for gold: Peter Norfolk

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 2

EVENT OF THE DAY
WOMEN'S LONG JUMP
Stefanie Reid lost part of her right leg in a boating accident as a teenager. It meant her career as a blossoming rugby player was over. Now 27, she is competing for medals in the long jump and 100 metres as one of the British faces of the Games. Her competition in the sand starts at 10am.
THE BEST OF THE REST
MEN'S 5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL
Playing Argentina never gets boring, especially as Great Britain will need a win against the old enemy. It's a 3.30pm kick-off for Dave Clarke and co, with a place in the last four up for grabs.
CYCLING - MEN'S TEAM SPRINT
Sadly, it is the final day in the velodrome. Not that Britain will be any less dominant. The Team Sprint trio of Darren Kenny, Rik Waddon and Jon-Allan Butterworth will defend the title Britain won in Beijing, with the final at 3.30pm. China will be the main competition for the title but expect the home crowd to take them over the line.
Doubling up: Stefanie Reid will compete in the 100m and long jump
Doubling up: Stefanie Reid will compete in the 100m and long jump

MONDAY SEPTEMBER 3

EVENT OF THE DAY
SWIMMING - WOMEN'S 200m INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Ellie Simmonds was the 13-year-old star of Beijing, winning two golds in the pool. She goes for more glory, the final at 5.39pm. Can she fare better than our Olympic swimmers?
THE BEST OF THE REST
WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL
Britain's women face a crucial final group game - against Canada at 1pm.
ATHLETICS - WHEELCHAIR 1500m
Six-time medallist David Weir begins the defence of his Beijing title. Heats are at 10.40am and Weir should ease through in front of the home crowd.
Going for gold: Ellie Simmonds returns to the pool in London
Going for gold: Ellie Simmonds returns to the pool in London

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 4

EVENT OF THE DAY
ATHLETICS - MEN'S WHEELCHAIR 1500m
This is it for David Weir in the final event of the night in the Olympic Stadium. Can he defend his title at 9.42pm? Weir gave up the sport before Sydney. He returned and became a prolific racer. Expect gold.
THE BEST OF THE REST
SWIMMING - WOMEN'S 50m FREESTYLE
Ellie Simmonds goes again, with the final at 5.50pm. 
BOCCIA - MIXED FINALS
This sport is a little like boules. Don't expect too many British golds but Nigel Murray could spring a surprise.
Reigning champion: David Weir will be defending his title
Reigning champion: David Weir will be defending his title

WEDNESDAY SEPTEMBER 5

EVENT OF THE DAY 
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
'Murderball' makes its debut with Great Britain taking on USA in the first match in Group A. This sport is brutal but incredible to watch. 2pm. 
THE BEST OF THE REST 
ATHLETICS - MEN'S 100m HEATS
Our first glance at champion Oscar Pistorius and Britain's world record holder Jonnie Peacock in the blue riband event. The heats are at 7pm. 
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS 
Peter Norfolk and Andy Lapthorne hope to be in the quad doubles final, which starts at 12pm.
Star of the show: Oscar Pistorious is one of the main attractions
Star of the show: Oscar Pistorious is one of the main attractions

THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 6

EVENT OF THE DAY
ATHLETICS - MEN'S 100m FINAL
The one you've been waiting for: Pistorius v Peacock. Can the 19-year-old Brit dethrone the South African? Tune in at 9.15pm for just under 11 seconds of drama. 
THE BEST OF THE REST 
SWIMMING - WOMEN'S 200m INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY
Louise Watkin, one of Sportsmail's Magnificent Seven, goes in the final just before 6pm. 
CYCLING - ROAD RACES
Jon-Allan Butterworth and Sarah Storey will hope to grab the glory. Former serviceman Butterworth races in the morning, Storey in the afternoon.
Magnificent seven: Swimmer Louise Watkin
Magnificent seven: Swimmer Louise Watkin

FRIDAY SEPTEMBER 7

EVENT OF THE DAY 
ATHLETICS - WOMEN'S 100m FINAL
Cerebral palsy sufferer Sophia Warner quit her job as a marketing executive to concentrate on London 2012. She balanced it with bringing up her two children but it worked. Warner is one of the fastest Paralympians in the world and will be expecting glory. Her final is at 8.35pm. 
THE BEST OF THE REST 
SWIMMING - MEN'S 50m FREESTYLE
Jim Anderson is at his sixth Paralympics - he's won an impressive 17 medals. The cerebral palsy sufferer needs 24/7 support from his parents but will go for three golds here. The 49-year-old's final is at 6.50pm. A medal would, as ever, be impressive. 
WHEELCHAIR TENNIS
Holland's Esther Vergeer has won 465 successive matches and the past 21 Grand Slam singles events she has entered. It's the sort of record that would make Roger Federer jealous. Expect gold again from the 31-year-old. The final is from 12pm.
Speed demon: Sprinter Sophia Warner
Speed demon: Sprinter Sophia Warner

SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 8

EVENT OF THE DAY 
ATHLETICS - MEN'S 400m FINAL
A last chance to see Pistorius, who will be running in his strongest event. The race is at 9.36pm. 
THE BEST OF THE REST 
5-A-SIDE FOOTBALL FINAL 
Imagine it now... Britain v Brazil. A late volley from top scorer Dave Clarke and the nation goes wild. Will it happen? Or will we have already gone out in the quarter-finals? The final kicks off at 3.30pm. 
FENCING - MEN'S TEAM FOIL
Fencing at the Paralympics is done in wheelchairs and great to watch. Britain's David Heaton will be competing in his fifth Games, with Craig McCann and Simon Wilson his team-mates. The quarter-finals are at 11am but Britain will hope to be still in the game at 3pm, when the gold medals are decided.
Fencers: Men's Foil David Heaton, Craig McCann and Simon Wilson
Fencers: Men's Foil David Heaton, Craig McCann and Simon Wilson

SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 9

EVENT OF THE DAY 
MARATHONS
Double gold for Britain? Don't rule it out. Britain may have long struggled in Olympic marathons but Dave Weir and Shelly Woods are hot favourites to win gold. 
THE BEST OF THE REST 
WHEELCHAIR RUGBY
Another taste of 'murderball', with the final taking place at 2.15pm. The Australians could be tough to beat and the New Zealand team are expected to perform the haka. 
CLOSING CEREMONY 
The final goodbye to the best summer of sport this country has probably ever seen. Kim Gavin, the man behind Take That's 2011 tour and the 2010 Help for Heroes concert is the artistic director. The end will see the flag formally handed over to 2016 hosts Rio de Janeiro before it is extinguished in front of all the athletes.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/othersports/article-2194934/London-2012-Paralympics-day-day-guide.html#ixzz24xlfrABj