This morning saw the arrival of the South African Paralympics team into London, flown into Heathrow by South African Airways (SAA).

The South African squad is one of the largest attending the games and featured members of the basketball, tennis, cycling and swimming teams to name a few.  With over 100 team members, carrying nearly 300 items of luggage, the team received a warm welcome from South African Airways staff and officials in London.

Onboard was Paralympics Swimmer Achmat Hassiem. Achmat lost his leg during an attack from a Great White Shark in 2006.  He went on to swim for South Africa at the Olympic swimming finals in Beijing and hopes to go one better and be among the medal places at London 2012. 

Jon Danks Head of UK Marketing and Communications, SAA said “We’re delighted to welcome the team to London 2012.  There are some truly inspirational characters within the South African team and we wish them every success at the Games”