Rushgrove's (pictured centre) medal was one of 102 Britain earned at the Beijing Paralympics (42 golds, 29 silvers and 31 bronze), but that total was more than doubled by the hosts, who headed the table with 211 medals (89 golds, 70 silver, 52 bronze).

"The reality is that the rest of the world is catching up with us," Rushgrove told insideworldparasport after making an appearance at Brighton's Mile Oak Primary School in support of the nationwide Waste Week campaign with EDF Energy's School Programme, The Pod and Eco-Schools.

"The rest of the world seems to have woken up to the fact that there is Paralympic sport and started to invest a lot more money into it.

"That's great for disability sport in general, but not so great for Team GB.

"If I'm being honest I don't think we are going to beat China in the overall medal table this year because they have such a vast number of athletes to draw upon and have put such serious investment into their programme, carrying on from the Beijing Games.

"I'm not saying we can't do it, because I am always optimistic, but it is going to be a big ask.

"What I am confident about is that Britain's Paralympians will do the best they have ever done at a Games."

To read the full insideworldparasport interview with Ben Rushgrove, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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