By David Gold

Sophia WarnerOctober 5 - British sprinter Sophia Warner says the thought of having a home crowd behind her gives her added motivation as she trains for the 2012 Paralympic Games.


As well as being European number one in the T35 100 and 200 metres, Warner's status as world number two means she will be a strong contender for medals in London.

She has been told to treat it as any other Paralympic Games, but Warner (pictured above left) admits the prospect of racing at the Olympic Stadium, in front of a raucous British crowd, gives her added impetus as she prepares.

"Our coaches try to drill it into us [that it's just another Paralympics], but there is going to be a bigger focus in my head," she told insideworldparasport at event where Procter & Gamble UK announced that they have joined forces with Paralympics GB and the British Olympic Association (BOA) to create a programme designed to help the friends and families of athletes taking part in the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games to support them before and during competition.

"It's never as big as the Olympics - there are more able-bodied people than disabled on the planet –so it'll be the first time many Paralympians get the chance to race in that capacity, for that great a crowd, so it's definitely in my head.

"We've got massive support here. I'm hoping the Paralympics can leave a massive legacy for the sport for years to come."

Warner has a busy domestic life, with a husband and two children to take care of, and has taken a sabbatical from her marketing career to focus on London 2012, making each day a balancing act.

Sophia Warner_with_family_PG_launch_October_5_2011
"I take every day as it comes," she said.

"Each has its different challenges, from not having enough food in the house to needing to fit in training with a parents' evening.

"Everyone thinks time is the biggest challenge, but making sure no one is missing out is the most important thing."

Warner underlined her status as a medal favourite earlier this year at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in New Zealand, where she claimed bronze in the T35 100m, breaking a European record in the process.

In the 200m, Warner beat her personal best by more than two seconds as she took a silver medal.

Her focus, now, is very much on her training, rather than the prospect of becoming world number one or claiming gold in front of a home crowd next year.

"I just think about what I need to do to improve my performance," she said.

"If I do the right things, do the right training, then those things should come together on the day.

"I can't do any more than I'm already doing.

"I can't fit another minute into my training programme."

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