David Weir becomes greatest wheelchair racer ever with stunning marathon gold

 
9 September 2012

Paralympics superstar David Weir today became the greatest wheelchair racer of all time after winning the marathon - and his fourth gold in a stunning Games.

The 33-year-old made it a quadruple crown as tens of thousands of fans packed the capital's baking hot streets to roar on the star.

Nicknamed The Weirwolf, the London-born star is unbeaten in the Games, having won gold in 800m, 1500m and 5000m as well as the 26.2 mile marathon.

Weir has cemented himself as a household name and had the ecstatic crowd, who lined The Mall, howling with delight for his fourth gold to cap a stunning clean sweep.

Speaking after the momentous win, a clearly-exhausted Weir revealed he felt as though he was "going to die" just five miles in.

He said: "The first six miles were the hardest.

"I thought I was going to die. I felt like I had no energy and thought 'if they keep this speed up, I won't last another mile'."

He praised the incredible crowd, which he said "were there for him" throughout the race and helped push him over the line.

Weir, whose partner Emily Thorne is pregnant with their second child, has become the biggest star of the Paralympics and trademark howls from fans have reverberated throughout the Olympic Stadium.

London 2012 chairman Lord Coe said following Weir's win: "He has just had a majestic Games. He is a phenomenal athlete."

There was more to cheer for the patriotic crowd as Shelly Woods powered home to win silver in the female marathon just minutes later.

After the win, Woods described the race as "the hardest marathon of my life".

Weir's win puts the icing on the cake for Great Britain's Paralympians, which has seen an unprecedented number of medals won in front of packed stadiums as millions watch on TV.

Great Britain currently sits second in the table with a final medal tally of 120 - 34 of golds, 43 silver and 43 bronze, surpassing their target of 103.

The Games will come to a close later with an "unusual setlist" from British band Coldplay, who will top the bill of a spectacular closing ceremony.

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