The 38-year-old, who races in the T52 class, proved one of the stars of London 2012 as she claimed gold in the 200 metres and silver in the 100m to add to the two Paralympic gold medals she won on the track in Beijing four years' ago and her first Paralympic gold, which she won as part of Canada's wheelchair basketball team at Sydney 2000.

But despite many predicting that she will retire following the conclusion of London 2012, she admitted she was inspired by the Rio 2016 segment at the Closing Ceremony to go to the next Games in Brazil.

"This [the Rio 2016 segment] was my favourite moment of the Games because until that point I was not 100 per cent sure of what my future would hold for my athletic career," said Stilwell, who broke her neck when she was 17 after falling down a flight of stairs.

"The Closing Ceremony solidified a newfound passion for the Games and all that sport brings to our lives.

"I left more inspired than ever to train harder and prove I can go faster.

"In many ways, I feel these Games [in London] had me almost reaching the peak of my career.

"I am not quite there and there are still things I want to achieve.

"I know I have it in me to give even more."

Stilwell admits that returning home to Canada last month gave her even more reason to continue her career.

Michelle Stilwell won a gold and silver medal at the London 2012 Paralympics

"The return home has been more than I could have ever expected or anticipated," Stilwell said.

"From a tour in the east of our country visiting schools and hospitals, to being awarded the Queen's Diamond Jubilee medal by our Prime Minister, to thousands of people coming out to our Olympic and Paralympic Heroes parade in Toronto.

"Closer to home, I have been awarded the first ever key to the city of Parksville."

In the lead-up to Rio 2016, the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France and the 2015 Parapan American Games in Toronto, Canada, could both draw major attention to Stilwell.

But in the meantime, she is just enjoying the moment and the aftermath of London 2012.

"I could not be happier to have taken part in a Games that could have forever changed the way the Paralympics are perceived," Stilwell said.

"The results were not my best ever but the experience itself is something I will cherish forever."

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