Tanni Grey-Thompson

“One thing I would say is that a World Championship in January is tough on everyone, apart from those from the southern hemisphere, because northern hemisphere athletes are not used to peaking at this time of year.”

“I coached for a bit but didn't enjoy it.”

“I've been told I was brave, or that I challenged adversity. Growing up in a middle-class family in Cardiff didn't feel that adverse.”

“I've lost track of the amount of time I've been spoken down to, literally patted on the head.”

“My parents were amazing because they just did not tolerate discrimination and way before we talked about medical model or inclusion or any of that, they did not know any of that stuff, but they just knew that the right thing to do was to educate and include me in society.”

“I've had years of people talking about the 'real,' 'normal' or 'proper' Games when they meant the Olympics, and 'the other Olympics' when they really meant the Paralympics.”

“I think the most important thing when training - whether you're looking to win a marathon or just become fitter and healthier - is to have a clear sense of what you want to achieve. Do you want to lose weight? Or improve your stamina? Or simply become more active?”

“The question of when to start a family is not easy for any career woman. But the decision can be even harder when your career is in sport.”

“Disabled people are much less likely to be in work, not because they don't want to, but because there are many challenges in getting in to work and quite often those jobs are not well paid.”

“I turned everything into a race - even getting dressed.”

“I have this dream of living in an immaculate house but it never seems to happen.”

“There is something about social media which is quite sexist, misogynistic.”

“Volunteering is about doing good things - good things for good causes, and good things for good volunteers.”

“What most impresses sportsmen and women who exist outside the cycling bubble is the weird paradox at the heart of road cycling: the fact that you are out there as a team, destroying yourself physically, and all so just one person can win the gold medal. For athletes used to earning glory for themselves, that is a peculiar concept.”

“People should have goals, and that doesn't have to be Paralympic goals or even high-profile stuff because actually most people don't want to do stuff like that. Most people's goals are about getting a different job or a better job or doing something with the kids.”

“The Paralympian Chris Hallam, who has died aged 50, was one of the most influential athletes in the development of disability sport.”

“In the morning I make sure I look in the mirror without my contact lenses in, because it's much more pleasant. With contacts, I see wrinkles around my eyes and realise how much more important foundation is as I get older.”

“My political views are left of centre but I think there are a lot of advantages of being a cross-bencher because you can vote with your heart, and in any case, I believe sport should be non-political.”

“My father was an architect and I grew up knowing more about planning regulations and the constraints of old buildings than most children.”

“Disability, whether as a private or a public-policy issue, is the subject on which I receive by far the most correspondence. It is both a personal and highly emotive topic, and touches on the law, public policy and social attitudes.”