JohnBoy Smith, paralysed since being shot in the back as a teenager, won wheelchair marathon gold for England after David Weir punctured with the race at his mercy. The Gravesend-born champion wept in the arms of his coach at the finish line, then admitted: “The better man didn't win.
Pleading for his teammate Weir to receive recognition in the way of a knighthood, whilst also commenting that it was Weird that deserved first place, he added: "Dave got a flat, he had me. He deserves gold, I should have got silver.
"Your majesty the Queen, give David Weir a knighthood, make him Sir David Weir; that man deserves it." Smith’s win completes a rags to riches tale after his life was changed forever at the age of 16 by a bullet. Two men were later convicted.
