THOUSANDS of well wishers took to the streets around the district of Wycombe today to celebrate their Olympic heroes. An open top bus parade carried the sports stars from Marlow to High Wycombe and then through Bourne End, Loudwater and Wooburn Green, before finishing at Higginson Park in Marlow.

Ian Rose – Twice medal winner in previous paralympics GB Judo / 2012 Torchbearer

Profile:Ian Rose – Paralympic GB Judo / 2012 Torchbearer

Ian Rose competed for Team GB at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympic Games, the first of his 5 appearances in total. Since then, he has won a bronze medal in Atlanta 1996 and then a silver medal in Sydney 2000. His career also reflects four European Championship titles and becoming the World Champion in 1995. Ian officially retired in 2008 after suffering from various injuries but came out of retirement with the goal of competing at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

He was on track to qualify for his sixth Paralympic Games but suffered a cruciate ligament injury in November 2011. Paralympics GB recognise his outstanding achievements to the sport and Ian was named as one of the Paralympic torch bearers as it made it’s way from Stoke Mandeville Stadium to the Olympic Park. Ian also appeared in the Opening Ceremony attached to a high wire in a high profile role within the proceedings.