Disabled People Chosen To Carry The Olympic Torch

• Former Paralympian Andrew Townsend, 39, competed in Barcelona in 1992 as a member of the Great Britain volleyball squad.

He said he was “amazed and privileged” to have been offered a place.

Mr Townsend, who manages Lifeskills, a charity which helps children and adults with learning difficulties, was nominated by his parents.

“Not only is it a once-in-a-lifetime experience but it will be so exciting not just for me but for my family, friends and everybody involved with Lifeskills as well,” he said.

• Swimmer Alice Tai will carry the Olympic Torch in July next year.

The 12-year-old, who was born with club feet, was doing her homework when she found out she had been chosen.

“I was so surprised,” she said.

Despite being unable to hop, skip or jump, Alice excels at swimming.

She is a member of the Seagulls Swimming Club in Christchurch, Dorset, and has been selected for the GB talent programme for disabled swimmers.

In March she won six gold medals at the national junior disability swimming championships.

Alice, who hopes to become a brain surgeon, said: “I would like to get to the Paralympics, I’m training hard and hope that I can get there.”

Her mum, Angela Tai, said: “All the family are planning to be along the route, it will be a huge occasion, absolutely momentous.”

And last but never least, a carer has been chosen as well:

Carer Sarah Thomas, 17, looks after both her parents – primarily her mother who has multiple sclerosis.

When she was 12 she posted a video on YouTube to highlight the problems young carers face.

Miss Thomas said: “I’m completely overwhelmed, there’s no other real emotions – it’s too much to take in.”

Her campaigning on behalf of young carers has led to a meeting with Prime Minister David Cameron about future government policy.