08/09/2011 Newsround

Hello there. Do not go anywhere. Put down the remote, because we

have something for everyone. Leah and Ricky here. Loads coming your

way. Including this - the children in Africa risking their lives for a

meater one. Another chance to see the dog with the record-breaking

ears. First, a blind penalty shootout, sitting volleyball and

rugby for wheelchairs. They are some of the events that have been

on show to mark paralympic Day. Loads of athletes were showing off

their skills in Trafalgar Square. I was there earlier. It's time to get

excited. All day GB athletes have been showing off what the

paralympics are going to be about. We've had demonstrations of sitting

volleyball and wheelchair rugby and tennis. With more than 4,000

athletes from over 150 countries taking part in 20 different sports,

there's lots to look forward to. But, there is also lots to fight

for. Hosting the Games in London will mean there is extra pressure

on Team GB to do well, so fans will expect plenty of excitement like

this. That's Ellie Simmonds winning gold at the Beijing paralympics. It

was three years ago. She was 13. She will be hoping to match it next

year. I have a good support team and I enjoy it. It's a great

experience to have the paralympics as your home Games and days like

this is exciting. When it comes to track and field, there's one man

everyone is talking about, Oscar Pistorius. He had both his legs

amputated when he was a baby, but that hasn't stopped him achieving

his dreams. This year he's hoping to compete in the Olympics and the

paralympics. I feel a lot of pressure. I have a great

responsibility in the sport to educate people about disability and

I would like to do that on the best platform possible and I would also

like to, for myself, I train hard, so I don't want to let myself down

at the events. The countdown is on. 356 days to go until the opening

ceremony. Two million tickets will go on sale tomorrow and half of

those will cost �10 or less. Guys, what are you waiting for? It looks

like the mascot is having a great time. The excitement is spreading.

Children of all abilities have been having a go at some of the sports

in London today. Many of the kids were trying them out for the first

time and we caught up with them to find out how they got on. I was

playing wheelchair basketball. I never played it before. It was

exciting. I was playing volleyball and it was difficult to hit it.

liked it when we passed the ball to each other and we got 20 points in

it. I enjoyed the table cricket moment, because I thought it was a

lot different to any of the others. We played table tennis against

everybody and we beat all of them. I'm looking forward to the

wheelchair basketball because it looks really good fun, because you

have to work your arms hard and it looks quite challenging the way you

have to pass the ball. I'm looking forward to the wheelchair racing,

because everyone is going to be there. I'm really excited and today

has given me a taster of what will happen. We want to know what

paralympic sport you are looking forward to seeing. Head over to the

website to let us know. Now to a man who deserves a gold

medal of his own. David Walliams - he's behind schedule in his mission

to swim the length of the River Thames. The water has given him a

bad tummy. It is thought he will reach Reading by the end of the day.

He's already raised �300,000. He doesn't look happy. Remember the

dog with these. This is the record- breaking dog with the ears.

Thousands have been clicking on the website. It's been going into

meltdown. We thought we would show him in action. Here he is in

America. His ears are over 30 centimetres long. Now to the very

wet US Open. Just an hour ago, Andy Murray resumed his match two days

of rain meant he only managed to play three games yesterday.

reckons it will be tough to scoop the title. He could have to play

four matches in four days to win. We hope the rain holds off. Now to

Africa, where thousands of children from Zimbabwe have been leaving

their homes and families in search of a better life and education.

They are making dangerous journeys to cross the border into South

Africa, where they hope they'll be able to go to school. This is

Justin. He's crossed the bofrder from Zimbabwe. He has to -- border

from Zimbabwe. He has to find water from drains to stay alive. He's

here because he left home in search Justin is not alone. All of the

children are here for the same reason. They come if Zimbabwe,

which used to be one of the richest countries in Africa. Over the last

ten years things have got a lot worse. For many, there isn't enough

food, education or work. Lots of people are in constant need and

they blame the Government for running the country badly. The

children, who escaped Zimbabwe, are desperate to go to school, because

they have nothing and they know an education will get them work. Those

who cross the border here have to make the same dangerous journey,

breaking through this fence. Before they get this far, they have to

cross rivers and they have crocodiles and they have to look

out for armed robbers. They hope when they arrive in South Africa

they'll get the help they need. Some children do get lucky and are

supported by charities and given shelter and enrolled into schools.

Moses was beaten up on his journey, but he's now safe and getting the

education he hoped for. Here in South Africa now I have basic

education. Compared to Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe lots of schools have

closed and the Government has made many other schools expensive to go

to. Until things improve, children like Justin will keep risking their

lives for an education. Before we go, we have good news. If you think

you can match the boys on the footy pitch. The rules have changed.

After a campaign we told you about, the Government today said it will