Watching Britain’s Paralympians walk out into the Bird’s Nest stadium on Friday night during the Opening Ceremony, their facial expressions said it all. Years of training and dedication has proved them worthy enough to represent their country on the world’s biggest stage, and Britain goes into these Games with as strong a team as I have ever known. For many of the men and women it’s their first Games and to see the awe on their faces as they waved to the thousands of spectators, and knowing how much it means to them, made it a truly touching moment. I remember my own experiences of Opening Ceremonies and I can safely say it will be a night that will stay with them forever.

I was lucky enough to have the best seat in the Bird’s Nest – inside the BBC commentary box - and what an incredible Opening Ceremony it was! It was a touch lighter than the Olympic ceremony but just as amazing. I was blown away by the grandeur and scale of it, and how much effort had gone into it by the Chinese. All the performers had a disability of some sort and it was so enlightening to see such a high quality of performance.

Four gold medals on the first day isn’t bad either! The cyclists are doing us proud again and the men’s wheelchair basketball players thrashed the Chinese in their first game 81-34. I was commentating on the match and it was always going to be a routine game for us, and a tall order for the Chinese to take on the reigning bronze medallists in their debut Games. The atmosphere in the stadium was electric and I can’t wait for the next game. Anytime the Chinese scored or did anything spectacular 17,990 Chinese supporters erupted with applause. Myself and the nine other British supporters made a bit of noise too I may add.

Being at the Games has stirred something inside me, and it does make me want to be there on court again. As soon as I got to the Bird’s Nest and near all the other venues, it brings back the magnificent memory of what it’s like to be a competing athlete. Beijing has been hijacked by Paralympians and Team GB are right in the heart of it winning gold.