First Broadcast: 9PM Sun 29 August 2010

Broadcasting two years to the day before the Paralympic 2012 Games begin, Inside Incredible Athletes profiles some of the elite British athletes who excel in their field, from both a personal and a scientific perspective.

Examining their demanding training regimes and the particular skills required for high performance at each sport, this 90-minute programme features stunning sporting performance sequences, filmed against a backdrop of iconic locations around London and directed by Mike Christie (Jump London).

The in-depth profiles of the individual athletes literally get under their skin using scientific tests and state-of-the-art scanning technology to create 'biomechanical portraits'. The technique allows viewers to see inside these world-class athletes, revealing for the first time the inside story of these incredible humans and how they have achieved sporting excellence.

The athletes featured include blind football player David Clarke. He has over 100 caps for England/GB and has scored over 100 goals. Scientists at Cambridge University discover how he can 'see' with his ears.

Wheelchair rugby players Mandip Sehmi and Steve Brown have reached staggering levels of fitness despite being paralysed from the chest down. How have they trained their bodies to overcome such limitations and surpass scientific expectations?

Equestrian dressage rider Lee Pearson is chasing his twelfth gold meal at the 2012 Games. Born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, Lee has reduced joint mobility and despite 15 operations he still cannot move his ankles or knees, forcing him to control his horse from his hips.

Sprinter and long-jumper Stefanie Reid reveals how she can run the 100m in 14.34 seconds with her lower-leg prosthetic, while swimmer Liz Johnson, who has cerebral palsy affecting the whole of her right side, demonstrates how since the age of four she's been moving through water better than on land.

    1. Inside Incredible Athletes Sun 29 Aug 2010

      Broadcasting two years to the day before the Paralympic 2012 Games begin, Inside Incredible Athletes profiles some of…

      • Some strong language
      • This programme has episodes with subtitles available.

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