FARNHAM handcyclist Rachel Morris created one of the lasting images of the London 2012 Paralympic Games last week, crossing the finishing line hand-in-hand with team mate Karen Darke to scoop an incredible bronze medal.

Having finished a creditable fifth in the H3 time trial at Brands Hatch just days earlier, Rachel was coasting towards a bronze medal in last Friday's H1-3 road race when she decided to slow down and wait for her Team GB colleague just metres from the finish line.

The gesture made headlines across the world and - despite the race commissaires taking an alternative view, awarding the bronze to Rachel rather than sharing it between the pair - it has been hailed as a triumph of sportsmanship and an example of the Paralympic spirit.

Rachel's medal-winning performance, completing the gruelling 48kms in one hour and 34 minutes, capped a remarkable recovery by the local Paralympian, whose chances of competing at the London Games were all but ended in July when a car hit her bike during an event on the A31 near Bentley.

For full story, see this week's Herald.