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By KATE JACKSON: Today at 02:10 The Sun



Hannah Cockroft, 19, is a Paralympic wheelchair sprinter. She is a double world champion in the 100m and 200m
T34 Paralympic category and a multiple world record holder.

Hannah, from Halifax, said: “I started wheelchair racing at 13 as a hobby but my coaches said I had speed and
natural ability and they drafted me on to the national team.

“I don’t think I’ve done too bad for a girl who the doctors said would never walk, talk or do anything for herself.

“When I was born I had two cardiac arrests, which caused brain and nerve damage to my spine, legs and feet.

“They told my parents I would never be able to do anything my whole life and wouldn’t live past my teenage years.
But I don’t like people telling me what to do. My parents put me in standing frames. I hated them for it at the
time but now I cannot thank them enough. It means that I can walk, if rather slowly.

“In the Paralympic athletics test at the London Olympic Stadium last week I broke the 100m World Record.

“For me, the only acceptable outcome in London is gold".