The real Paralympic heroes aren't found in a stadium

We crumblies hail from a sporting era when a Scottish rugby captain could stub out his fourth fag of the day before leading the team out on to Murrayfield. When a one-handed slip catch would receive a brief nod of approval from the captain. And when a goal could be scored without a mass bromance occurring by the corner flag. We find triumphalism distasteful.

So, for many of us, it has been hard to be wholehearted in our celebration of the recent Olympics and Paralympics. After a lifetime keeping things in perspective down the touchline, between the wickets and under the posts, we have a different attitude towards sport.

We know that the Olympic ‘legacy’ won’t be to inspire the able-bodied to abandon the couch for the pitch, court, track or pool. And the same holds true for the disabled. Indeed I would go further; overall, the effect of the Paralympics is positively demoralising.