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| London 2012 athlete David Weir given City of London freedom | |
| (about 7 hours later) | |
| London 2012 gold medallist David Weir has been awarded the freedom of the City of London in recognition of his sporting achievements. | |
| The wheelchair athlete, nicknamed "The Weirwolf of London", won four gold medals in the 5,000m, 1500m, 800m and marathon at the 2012 Paralympics. | The wheelchair athlete, nicknamed "The Weirwolf of London", won four gold medals in the 5,000m, 1500m, 800m and marathon at the 2012 Paralympics. |
| It comes as a new programme of grants to widen sporting opportunities for disabled people is launched. | It comes as a new programme of grants to widen sporting opportunities for disabled people is launched. |
| The City of London Corporation said Weir was being honoured to mark it. | The City of London Corporation said Weir was being honoured to mark it. |
| Weir, from Wallington in Surrey, won two gold medals at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, and has also won six London marathons. | |
| 'Golden sporting era' | 'Golden sporting era' |
| The City Bridge Trust, the City of London Corporation's charity, has launched the City Sporting Chance grants programme. | |
| A spokesman from the authority said it was hoped it would help inspire a new generation of athletes. | A spokesman from the authority said it was hoped it would help inspire a new generation of athletes. |
| Billy Dove, chairman of the City Bridge Trust, said: "As the UK cheered on athletes such as David Weir, thousands of disabled people were inspired to get involved with their local sports club. | Billy Dove, chairman of the City Bridge Trust, said: "As the UK cheered on athletes such as David Weir, thousands of disabled people were inspired to get involved with their local sports club. |
| "Our new 'City Sporting Chance' will provide organisations with the resources they need to widen access to sport for those who may not have had the opportunity to take part before. | "Our new 'City Sporting Chance' will provide organisations with the resources they need to widen access to sport for those who may not have had the opportunity to take part before. |
| "We hope this will create a lasting legacy for sports opportunities for disabled people that extends well beyond this golden sporting year." | "We hope this will create a lasting legacy for sports opportunities for disabled people that extends well beyond this golden sporting year." |