THE wife of a para-athlete representing Paralympics GB in Rio, who helped her husband get back into sport, has spoken of her pride at watching him competing.

Angie Phillips, 52, of Trellech Close, Cwmbran is married to Dave Phillips, 50, who is participating at the Paralympics Games as an archer.

After starting archery at 12 and taking a break from the sport to start a family and a career, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1996, and retired from work fully in 2012.

“As a family, we are very tight-knit. Following Dave’s diagnosis with MS, we decided that we were going to be beat MS, and it was not going to beat us,” said Mrs Phillips.

At that point, the couple were watching the Paralympic Games in London, and Mrs Phillips suggested that her husband should try and get back into the sport.

“We were watching the Paralympics and I said to Dave – ‘that could be you.’ He ended up watching all of the Games – running, swimming and other sports,” she said.

“One night he turned to me and said ‘you know what, you are right’. And he set himself the target of reaching Rio.”

Supported by their two sons, and more recent additions of two teenage girls who the couple are fostering, the family set their sights on reaching Brazil.

“There were hard times, but together we got there. It is such an amazing turn of events that has helped Dave to achieve his dream. I would call it almost a miracle,” said Mrs Phillips, adding that the elder teenage girl has taken up archery as well.

“This goes to show that you can beat anything with determination. Dave would love to come back from Rio with a medal, but he also has the next target in his sight of Tokyo 2020.

“There are so many people that I would like to thank for their support. Our family and friends, Dave’s physios and sight coaches, Archery GB, UK Lottery, Disability Wales as well as Pippa Britton and Harry Reid, Dave’s coach at Llantarnam Archery Club,” she added.