The Paralympic Games is an emotional affair; you just have to look into the eyes of coaches, officials, family members and distinguished guests. Time and again you see a tear in the eye as athletes overcome daunting odds.
The receipt of the award for was, for the three British athletes, a most emotional moment.
"I had a lump in my throat when I found out", said Rawson. "Seeing all ten faces out there was incredible."
It was the same for Robinson. "It's an absolute honor", he said. "I got quite emotional. It made me look back at everything I had achieved."
He has achieved a great deal; the honor was well merited.
Similarly for Kwong it was a very special moment.
"I'm really happy to receive this award", he explained. "I really want to thank everyone for this award, it is great encouragement."
However, Kwong is not satisfied with seven. "I will keep going to try to participate in my eighth Paralympics", he continued. "In my country eight is a lucky number so I want to continue!"
Kwong, like the others, has gained everyone's admiration and some have, during their Paralympic careers, gained celebrity status, none more so than Schmidt.
"My most outstanding memory is when I won gold in Barcelona in 1992. It's a moment I will never forget," he sighed, and in Beijing he has become a star.
"I was on television and sometimes people in the street come up to me and say that's the man who plays Table Tennis," Schmidt smiled. "They take photos of me. I've never had that experience before."
Playing Table Tennis in China, whether in the Olympics or Paralympics is special, very special, and the achievements of the ten medal recipients is a very special reward, a reward for dedication and determination.
And let us not forget one other fact.
The award is a mark of excellence, a mark of achievement, and a mark of ability, not disability.
(BOCOG September 15, 2008)