The camp, in Monte Gordo, provided one of the final opportunities for the UK Athletics team to enjoy a sustained period of training, under the tutelage of head coach Peter Eriksson (pictured top), ahead of the Paralympics.

The Swede, considered to be one of the world's best Paralympic athletics coaches, has helped transform the fortunes of the team.

He was appointed shortly after the Beijing 2008 Paralympics in which Britain's athletics team finished 18th in the medals table with two golds.

Within just two years Eriksson led Britain to third place, with 12 golds, at the World Championships last year.

"We're doing a great job at the moment," he said.

"If we can maintain that momentum, and with the joint efforts of the home countries, we will have a great base for the London 2012 Paralympic Games."

Weir (pictured below), 32, who won both of Britain's athletics gold medals at Beijing 2008, admitted he feels in top form.


"I've had a great winter so to come into the season in great shape is a real bonus ahead of the Paralympics," he said.

"It is great to put on a Team GB vest any time you compete, but London 2012 will be something else.

"It will be quite emotional to race in my home city."

Weir continued: "There is obviously a lot of pressure on me to do well because I have performed very well at the major events in the past.

"But, even though it is so big – I'll just be taking it as another event.

"The rest of the world is out there training hard to beat me so I'm training just as hard to make sure I stay ahead of them and keep winning."

Weir was quick to recognise the legacy aspect of a good performance this summer.

"The whole of the British team has a really great opportunity to perform well at London 2012 and I think that we have to take that chance in order to get the whole country excited and interested in Paralympic sport."


Meanwhile 25-year-old Woods (pictured), who picked up silver and bronze medals at Beijing 2008, is focused on a good lead-up to London 2012.

"My season starts with the Virgin London Marathon and there are a few track meets after that before the Paralympic team is selected in July," she said.

"If I am selected, it will be a huge honour because it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to compete in front of a home crowd at the Paralympics.

"I want to go there and give the best I can.

"In Beijing, there were 90,000 people in the Bird's Nest Stadium giving amazing support to the Chinese athletes and I spent the whole time thinking that it would be the same for us in London.

"If we use that support in the right way, it can definitely help us."

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