Singleton to lead US charge at London 2012 as team named

By Tom Degun

July 4 - Jerome Singleton, the T44 100 metres world champion, is set to lead the United States medal charge at the London 2012 Paralympics after being named as part of the 54-strong track and field team for the Games.

The 25-year-old single leg amputee from South Carolina caused a sensational upset at the World Championships in New Zealand last year when he handed his great rival Oscar Pistorius (pictured below, second right) of South Africa his first defeat in Paralympic competition in seven years in the T44 100m.

The pair are set to face off again in the event at London 2012 – where Britain's Jonathan Peacock could also be a major threat after breaking the world record in the event last week.

"I think at London 2012, you will see sparks fly," Singleton (pictured above) said.

"We are going to have a really fast race out there and I'm just looking to get that gold medal."

Another contender for the gold will be Singleton's American compatriot Blake Leeper, who is also named in the team for London 2012.

The double leg amputee produced a blistering performance at the US trials as he ran 10.95sec to become the first American in his classification to run the 100m in under 11 seconds.

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"I'm feeling really good," said Leeper (pictured above, far right), who will also be a major medal contender in the 200m at London 2012.

"My teammates are really fast and they push me along and I'm now really excited for the Paralympics."

In total, 35 male athletes and 19 female athletes have been named on the team.

On the women's side Jessica Galli is set one of the standout names for London 2012 after she proved America's most decorated track and field athlete at Beijing 2008 by claiming five Paralympic medals, including gold in the 400m T53.

Six-time Paralympic medallist Tatyana McFadden (pictured below) and four-time Paralympic medallist Amanda McGrory are also set to be major medal contenders at London 2012 as the duo are two of the most formidable female wheelchair racers on the planet.

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