10 Sporting Heroes Who Ruled 2012

6. Ghanaian Paralympics Team

"My nation has never bought me any equipment. They always come in to support me in major competition, but it seems the wrong way round. The biggest difficulty for young disabled people in sport is getting from the first level upwards. That needs to change." Sometimes, to be a sporting hero, you don't have to win, just take part. That was the case with the Ghanaian Paralympic Team, who were able to thrive on the global stage that was the 2012 Paralympics. Raphael Nkegbe Botsyo described very eloquently in an interview with the Telegraph the struggle his team had faced to make it to the Paralympics: in certain parts of Africa, a person with a disability is regarded as a curse upon families; a burden more than an individual. The athletes sought recognition, and a desire to inspire a new generation of Paralympians. Training outside their nation and borrowing second-hand equipment from other nations, the team proudly bore the slogan "Right to Dream" across their banner. The Ghanaian team belonged at the Paralympics, and to a global audience were able to demonstrate how competitive they could be. Medals were a secondary objective - making history was the goal. Many news stations and journalists rallied around this team as the inspiring story of this event. The Paralympics is the stage for athletes that have not allowed their disability to prohibit their quest for glory, and hopefully the events of this year will see a shift in attitudes within Africa. I hope to track the progress of Ghana in 2016, and here's hoping they bring home some medals. "We are here to make a mark, put the message across, sow the seeds for the next generation of disabled athletes. We are on a mission."Standout Moment of 2012: Charles Teye finishing 9th place in the -67.5kg powerlifting at the Paralympics.