My Paralympic memory: Peter Norfolk

"I would say winning my first medal in Athens is the one that stands out, because it was my first but also Great Britain’s first gold medal for tennis, not just wheelchair. It was also a big win for the British tennis programme. I am really proud to be the first winner, to be honest.

I was playing David Wagner from the USA, and we often vied for No. 1. I hadn’t lost a set in the run-up to Athens and I felt really good for that match. It was always going to be tough, but as soon as I hit that last shot, as soon as the ball left my racket, I knew that was the winner. It was more relief than exultation to start with. It’s only when you go on the actual podium, the flag goes up, the national anthem plays, you get a little tear in your eye. That’s when you realise it’s not just a win for me, it’s a win for everyone in the team, the coach, the family.

Winning Beijing was also consolidation that Athens wasn’t just a fluke. It was a really nice feeling, in front of a bigger crowd in a bigger stadium. But London as a Paralympics itself was probably the best ever. To be a flag bearer, that was enormous. Going into the stadium will be a defining memory for a very long time.

London was an amazing experience. We walked through from the athletes’ village to the centre every day and the crowds were fantastic, knowledgeable, interesting. They knew who everyone was, they wanted to support you. I don’t think we’ll get that again. I feel very privileged that I have experienced that.

I think what’s also more noticeable is there’s a lot more interest in the Paralympics. I think London has now created a huge appetite for everyone to see more, learn more about disabled athletes or wheelchair athletes and to watch it. You can see there’s a lot more human interest in it. At the end of the day, it’s a hard road to be a top wheelchair athlete, dare I say it more so than some of the able-bodied players because you’ve got your physical disability to get over with as well. It’s fun.

Winning Paralympic gold is top. It’s the medals that actually mean funding. It’s the funding that means you are able to carry on and keep playing at the highest level. Without funding, you can’t play at the highest level".