By Paddy von Behr

Balham's Richard Asare played a leading role in the celebrations to mark one year since the start of London 2012 at the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games – and he insists it will live long in the memory.

The 19-year-old paraded the world’s finest disability sprinters, including Britain’s Paralympic bronze medallist from London 2012 Ola Abidogun, into the Olympic Stadium on Sunday for the T46 100m.

Richard, who works as a customer service assistant at Sainsbury’s Balham, performed his role in front of a capacity crowd of 65,000 people in London and is adamant he won’t be forgetting the experience any time soon.

“The Olympics were great – I watched everything I could, but I never made it to the Olympic Park,” said Richard.

“I couldn’t believe it when I found out. My manager called me to the office and told me about it – it was incredible.

“I couldn’t believe it at first, but it was great to finally be in the stadium. It was great and I feel very honoured to get this opportunity of a lifetime.”

Richard was one of almost 60 Sainsbury’s colleagues from across the UK to have led out an event across the three days of the Anniversary Games at the iconic Olympic Stadium.

And he added: “To begin with it was quite nerve-wracking but now I look back on it and I feel very special.

“When watching the Olympics last year, I never once imagined that I would be able to step into the Olympic Stadium.”

The Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games is the final event in the Sainsbury’s Summer Series. For more information on Sainsbury’s support of world class athletics and disability sport go to www.sainsburys-live-well-for-less.co.uk/occasions/anniversary-games/