The BBC were outbid for the Paralympics by Channel 4, and they probably now regret not offering more. But Channel 4 is doing a good job, I'm only disappointed by the lack of alternative viewing choices compared with what the BBC offered for the Olympics.

I'm ashamed to admit to not paying much attention to previous Paralympics, seeing them as 'worthy' but not serious - watching these has proved to me how wrong and patronising I was. To pick just one example, David Weir's success in the 5000m was every bit as exciting and well-deserved as Mo Farrah's, and there have been many more examples.

The athletes don't want our sympathy for overcoming adversity, instead they rightly demand our respect for their sporting achievements, and they fully deserve it.