Double Paralympic gold medalist David Weir missed the New York Marathon earlier this month all in the name of London 2012 glory, writes Ben Baker.

The 32-year-old wheelchair racer from Wallington had a 12 months to remember last season, with triple gold at the IPC World Championships in New Zealand over 800m, 1500m and 5000m added to by London Marathon and New York Marathon success.

But he opted to miss the race in the Big Apple earlier this month with his focus turning to winning gold at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford in September.

“A good block of winter training is something I have missed in the past, because I am either at a World Championships or I’ve been injured or ill," he said.

"So I just wanted to get in there early this year to get me going towards next year.

“Last season was a long season and I started from September with the Great North Run and then New York and then the World Championships and a full track season and a full road season so it was very tough.

“But that is what we do every year so I was alright about it, but I did need that break around August time when our baby was born.

“New York was maybe in the plan for this year but realistically I didn’t want to push my shoulder too much and 2012 is the big one for me so I can’t really mess about and do other races, even though I love New York.

“Because I won it last year I really wanted to go back and defend my title but London 2012 is the big one and I have to make some sacrifices along the way.”

Having been the only member of the British team to claim track gold at the Beijing 2008 Paralympics, Weir is only too aware that the spotlight will be on him to deliver in the capital next year.

“I thrive on the pressure that is on me for London 2012 and I have got used to it now,” he added.

“It took me a long time to get to the top and once you are at the top it is hard to stay there so you learn to deal with it and I deal with it every year.”

The Aviva and Daily Telegraph School Sport Matters Awards recognise outstanding achievements in school sport across the country, and are part of Aviva’s wider commitment to support the next generation of British sporting talent. For more information go to aviva.co.uk/athletics