…and more on Jonnie Peacock’s brilliant victory…

Friday, September 7th, 2012

From The Mirror – Sport

‘Britain’s Usain Bolt’ blitzed past his rivals, including South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, to roars from the capacity crowd.

Golden boy Jonnie Peacock sprinted into the history books last night when he won 100m gold.

Jonnie Peacock ecstatic as he crosses the line in the men's T44 100 metres

The 19-year-old – dubbed Britain’s Usain Bolt – blitzed past his rivals, including South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius, to roars from the capacity crowd.

Peacock, who had his right leg amputated aged just five after contracting meningitis, ran an ecstatic lap of honour after the race on a night of glory for our athletes.

The teenager, from Cambridgeshire, was cheered on his family and friends in the T44 final for amputees as he finished in a Paralympic record time of 10.90 seconds.

Within seconds of crossing the line, Peacock sprinted to celebrate with team-mate Dan Greaves who was still competing in his discus final.

Speaking about contracting meningitis as a child, Jonnie said: “I don’t remember anything about the period except my mum driving me to the hospital.

“I was in my Power Rangers duvet and she was speeding through a few red lights to get me there.

“They say people can block out bad episodes they don’t want to remember, or perhaps I was just too young to remember it all.”

Bladerunner Pistorius, 25, missed out on the medals after finishing fourth.

America’s Richard Browne won silver and South Africa’s Arnu Fourie took silver.

Wheelchair superstar David Weir claimed his third gold of the Games in the T54 800m as the Stadium erupted.

Weir – dubbed the Weirwolf – ripped his shirt open as he stormed across the finishing line and David Bowie’s ‘Heroes’ rang out.

Weir, who has the marathon left to come on Sunday, now even has his own battle cry thanks to the werewolf howls his team-mates have developed, adapted from the rock song Werewolves Of London by Warren Zevon.

And as he spoke to TV crews, his GB team-mates turned up in werewolf masks in tribute to his nickname.

The 33-year-old, who has been unable to use his legs since birth, had already taken the 1,500m and the 5,000m titles.

But his pregnant fiancee Emily Thorne watched from home – because she is expecting the couple’s second child next month.

Miss Thorne, 23, said she decided to stay away because going to the Olympic Stadium for the final would be too much to take.

Afterwards, the dad-of-two said: “That was hard work. I had to dig deep.

“I’ve really got to thank Emily back home on the phone for keeping me calm and relaxed. This one’s for my children, This one’s for my kids tonight.

“You always have doubts. It’s a strong field. You can’t underestimate anyone.”

He told how he was roared on the the line by discus thrower Dan Greaves who was in gold medal position in his event.

He said: “I heard Greavesie on the last bend shouting to keep me going. He’s got to concentrate on his own thing. It’s amazing.

“I probably don’t seem like I’m enjoying it but I’m tired.

“I can’t wait to see Emily and Mason tomorrow. That’s going to cheer me up.”

Weir, who was born with a spinal cord transection that prevents him from using his legs, is a legend of Paralympic sport and has also won the London Marathon six times.