Paralympics: Carrying the torch

(Vatican Radio) The London 2012 Paralympic Games kick off this week with the participation of a record 4,200 athletes from 166 countries, all with some form of disability. More tickets have been sold for the 11-day Games than ever before in the event's history with over 2 million advance tickets totally sold out. Thomas McMahon is the Bishop of Brentwood whose diocese includes the area of east London where the Games are being held. He spoke to Vatican Radio's Susy Hodges about his feelings and expectations concerning this very inspirational sporting event.

Listen to the extended interview with Bishop McMahon:

The Bishop of Brentwood says the Paralympics are "very very inspiring" and says as humans, all of us are "united in our effort (just like the Paralympians) to try to fulfil our potential." Likewise, we are "all called, both to carry the torch" and "to run the race."

Bishop McMahon went onto say that "we carry the torch as Christians, by our witness to the faith and our attitude towards winning and losing." When it comes to running the race, he explains, the "end goal" isn't just gold medals but "a heavenly goal" as the race of life is not for winners, it's actually for finishers."