Weir wins Paralympic gold in 5,000m (From Your Local Guardian)

Wallington Paralympic legend David Weir thrills home crowd in dramatic final

9:17am Monday 3rd September 2012 in Top Stories By James Pepper

 

Wallington paralympic legend David Weir claimed his first gold of his home games in dramatic fashion last night. 

Following his victory in the 5,000 in the Olympic stadium, Weir, 32, said it was the medal he really wanted. 

The four-time Paralympian won golds over 800m and 1500m last time around in Beijing, but the T54 5000m title had so far eluded him.

He said: "This was the one I wanted to win and it was special doing it in my home town. The crowd gave me such a massive lift. It’s indescribable what it does for you."

Weir threw both alarms aloft in celebration as he crossed the finish line to win the title in the cauldron of a packed London 2012 Olympic Stadium.

He said: "It was a dream come true tonight. It's taken hard work and dedication to get here.I was in great form coming into this and everything I have done in the last year has been for this."

"The race went well tactically and I was confident coming into the final bend." 

Weir, who grew up on the Roundshaw Estate in Wallington but trained at Kingsmeadow in Kingston, had covered every break during a typically cagey 5000m final.

He tailed Switzerland's Marcel Hug over the last 600m and then punched for home 200m out.

His emotions were clear to see as he crossed the finish line with arms aloft to win in 11:07.65.

Australia's Kurt Fearnley took silver and Julien Casoli bronze.

Weir returns to action this morning in the first heat of the T54 1500m, scheduled to get underway at 10:40.

He said: "I've got a tough heat and an early start, but I’I'm feeling more relaxed and confident now I’I've got the first one out of the way."

Weirs performance was a fitting finale to session that had already seen ParalympicsGB athletes collect a brace of silver medals from Libby Clegg and Graeme Ballard.