Sixteen year-old Erica from London, 14-year old Anthony from Trinidad & Tobago and 16-year old Mary Tarimo from Tanzania were among the Torchbearers chosen to carry the Paralympic Flame on its journey from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium in east London.
They also got to meet International Inspiration Ambassador Oscar Pistorius, Paralympic gold medallist and world record holder, who praised them for reflecting the Paralympic values of courage, determination, inspiration and equality.
Each International Inspiration Torchbearer was nominated and selected either for their dedication and commitment to inspiring young people in their communities through the power of sport, or for the personal challenges they have overcome in their lives.
Erica Kouassi has challenged inequality to create opportunities for young people of all abilities to access sport and play in her school and community; Anthony Kipps was born with Right Primary Focal Femoral Dysplasia, which resulted in his right leg being much shorter than his left, but he has never let this keep him down and is currently training to volunteer at the first National Paralympic Games in Trinidad later this year; finally, Mary regularly gives up her time to assist young disabled children at a local primary school in sports and games sessions.
Oscar Pistorius said: 'As an Ambassador for International Inspiration it is fantastic to see how the programme has touched these young people’s lives, bringing them closer together and encouraging them to look beyond personal challenges. It’s a fabulous legacy for the London 2012 Games and one I am proud to represent.'
