Inspirational leaders need to have a winning mentality in order to inspire respect. It is hard to trust in the leadership of someone who is half-hearted about their purpose, or only sporadic in focus or enthusiasm.

Quite simply the Games are the biggest opportunity sport in this country has ever had. It is one that we must not squander.

Competing is exciting and winning is exhilarating, but the true prize will always be the self-knowledge and understanding that you have gained along the way.

We need to be confident. We need not to blink.

The Paralympians have lifted the cloud of limitation.

I became a great runner because if you're a kid in Leeds and your name is Sebastian you've got to become a great runner.

It is really important that we promote competitive support in schools. It is very important that we recognise that has to be underpinned by good quality physical education and by getting people into patterns of exercise.