Tanni Grey-Thompson is one of the most successful disabled athletes in the world. She (1) _______(be) born with spinal bifida, so she (2) _____ (not can) walk and (3) ________ (have to) use a wheelchair. At school her teachers (4) _______ (not expect) her to be good at sport but her disability (5)______ (not stop) her and she (6) ______(swim) and (7) _____ (play) basketball. Then she (8) ______ (see) the London Marathon on TV and (9) _______(decide) to try athletics. At the age of fifteen she (10) _______(represent) Wales in the Junior National Games and (11) _______

(come) first in the 100 metres. Between 1992 and 2004 she (12) _______

(win) sixteen Paralympic medals and (14) _______ (break) 30 World records. She (15) _______ (retire) from wheelchair racing in 2007.

Racing in a wheelchairTanni Grey-Thompson is a famous 'Paralympian'. She was born with a medical condition that stopped her from walking and running. Being in a wheelchair did not stop Tanni becoming a champion in athletics.

What is a Paralympian?A Paralympian is an athlete with a disability. Paralympians take part in the Paralympic Games and other sports events. Disability can mean a person has to use a wheelchair. It can mean a person has difficulty walking, seeing, hearing or learning. It does not mean they can't enjoy sport.

What did she do?Tanni Grey-Thompson took part in four Paralympic Games. She won 11 gold medals. She won the London Marathonsix times. After she retired from racing, she went on helping disabled sportspeople. Her story inspires many people to take part in sport.