The London 2012 Paralympics are now well underway, and our local area has already been celebrating after East Bergholt’s Zoe Newson claimed bronze in the -40g powerlifting category yesterday, equalling her personal best of 88kg at the ExCel in East London.
At just 20 years old, this is her first Paralympics and she certainly made her debut in style!
"It was outstanding out there," Newson stated after the competition. "The crowd just pump you up. It was great to have a home crowd and have them behind you. It helps you get along and get stronger.
"I just wanted to get a personal best really on my Paralympic Games debut.
"It means the world to me get bronze, though, as it is just payment for all the hard work."
Yet, with such a high profile event such as the Paralympics requires tight security, and hundreds of Colchester soldiers will be working as part of the police and civilian-led security team at the Olympic Park in Stratford.
Having already provided 1,200 troops to the Olympics, approximately 400 troops from Colchester Garrison’s 16 Air Assault Brigade will be keeping the athletes, organisers, volunteers and spectators.
A Ministry of Defence spokesman explained, “Planning for the Paralympics has been rigorous and we will provide whatever is necessary to maintain safety and security.
“There will be around 3,500 military personnel providing venue security, including pedestrian and vehicle screening.
“This has always been part of the planning as per the statement to Parliament in December last year.”
