27/08/2012 BBC Wales Today

Good afternoon, on the day when Wales welcomed the Paralympic flame.

With just two days to go before the start of the games in London, a

ceremonial cauldron has been lit in Cardiff. The flame will then be

united with ones lit in Scotland, Northern Ireland and England, at

Stoke Mandeville, the birthplace of the Paralympics. It'll then make

its way to the Opening ceremony. Within the last hour, organisers

have said they are scaling back some of the events tonight because

of the weather. But they are determined to plough ahead with

tonight's party. Any moment, I will be chatting to us of our greatest

Paralympic athletes. Nick Palit now, on the lighting on the Paralympic

flame. Just after 8am, a crowd of around a hundred braved the rain to

see the Paralympic flame burn bright over Cardiff. Lighting it,

Paralympic cyclist Simon Richardson who won two golds and a silver at

Bejing, but is unable to compete in London, as he was injured in a hit

and run accident while training on his bike. The Welsh flame was lit

by Scouts last week at the summit of Snowdon. It is great to be able

to will light the flame in Wales. Teams from five continents have

made Wales their training base. Today Paralympians from Swansea and

Conwy lit lanterns from the Cardiff Cauldron, for torch relays in their

own communities. It is an amazing honour. One of those splinter

flames lit from the Cardiff Cauldron arrived at Eirias Park in

Colwyn Bay by mid afternoon and a mini relay was held around the

running track. Inside a showcase of Paralympic events including

wheelchair basketball from the Conwy Thunder, one of many sports

that's seen a surge in interest. hope to develop all the sports

further. And hopefully unearth I Paralympian one day. In a torch

relay around the Welsh capital, the flame also visited Rookwood

Hospital, a facility that's played a huge part in the recovery of so

many Welsh Paralympians. Many people have achieved high levels of

excellence within sport and we are proud of them and the legacy they

give to people who are beginning their journey after a serious

injury. After Rookwood, it was on to Cardiff City's House of Sport.

In his head, he is really sporty. He is really sporty but his head --

body does not match his wishes. He can really shine here and be really

good at something. Eventually, the Welsh flame will join others from

To light a flame at Stoke Mandeville, the spiritual home of

the Paralympic Movement. Well, a little earlier our reporter

Tomos Dafydd spoke to one of Wales's most successful

Paralympians, Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson. She told him which of the

38 Welsh athletes we should keep an eye out for. Welsh athletes to

amazingly well. Ellie Simmonds is not lost budgie trains in Wales.

Nathan Stephens is a field event. Across the sport, there has been

tremendous representation. This is the biggest Welsh representation. I

think they will show the other home countries how strong Wales is.

when your first medal nearly a quarter of a century ago. How has

it changed over the years? They have changed out of all recognition,

to be honest. It had only just been brought into use as a word. Over

time, there has been massive increase in sponsorship and media

coverage. I was seeing some of that sort the end of my career. But to

be in a situation where it is a sell-out is incredible. In Beijing,

the seats were full but in reality, they gave a lot of those seats away.

In these games, every single ticket has been sold. That means a huge

amount to the athletes. People are there because they genuinely want

to be there to watch. As we've seen, events have been held in Cardiff,

but celebrations are also being held in Colwyn Bay in north Wales.

Matthew Richards is there for us tonight.

Thanks very much. The party has finished the year. They have been

plenty of people here are getting ready for the Paralympics. When you

look back at the previous games, what are the highlight? Taking part

and being a part of the Games is something so special. I think the

medals came as a bit of a shock to me at the time. But it was

absolutely truly amazing. You have been speaking to some of the young

people today. What has been your message? I came here today to give

a bit of inspiration to those guys out there who are starting at

grassroots level. It is something where I started. I wanted to really

put across to them that if they ever want to do something in their

life and they want to achieve their goals, it can be done because at

the end of the day, it was a dream come true for me. Excellent. Back

to Cardiff. Let's talk to some of our Paralympian is now. You have a

full house of medals. My gold is actually in the British Museum.

People want to see the medals. won gold for the discus back in

1984. You were injured at a funfair ride many years ago. How did this

change your life around? 100 % change. I just sat around and went

to the pub. I started getting into sport and I got selected for Wales

to represent them in the national games and then it went on to the

Paralympics, it totally chief mate -- changed my life. Everything I

have done since has revolved around that. Take us back to the 1980s.

The athletes are enjoying some great facilities in the village.

stayed in a school. We were all sleeping on the floor. It was

unreal but brilliant. It was an awesome time. David Roberts, 11

time gold-medallist. Let's see one of those medals. You missed out on

a place, unfortunately. How difficult is it going to be

watching and are competing? It is going to be tagging on my heart

strings a little bit. But I will be 100 % behind the team. It is a

special occasion. I think they will delay fantastic job and all I can

be is a fan. Football and in the Blue Square

Premier league, Wrexham have beaten Tamworth 1-0, after an own goal

Let's take a look at the weather now.

It's been a wet and windy day across Wales, but we will see the

wind and rain easing tonight. But the Met office still has a warning

in place, mainly for the impact of the rain. It's persistent and slow

moving, there's a risk of surface water flooding, especially further

west. This evening, still a few pulses of heavy rain. They should

ease eastwards, as that main band clears into the North Sea. Some

sharp showers lingering, but generally turning clearer with

winds easing overnight. Tomorrow's much more promising, largely dry

and brighter with sunny spells. Variable amounts of cloud and any

showers should be isolated. You'll be unlucky if you catch one. Winds

picking up along Cardigan Bay, highs of 18 Celsius here, but

generally feeling warmer 20 in Denbighshire. Then it's wet and