The group of Kenyans carry the Paralympic torch into Regent’s Park yesterday (Wednesday)

Published: 30 August, 2012
by PAVAN AMARA

AGED just nine, Sophie Kamlish was told by a Great Ormond Street Hospital surgeon that she would need her right leg amputated. 

Her father Steve recalled this week how she responded with a confident answer: “OK, that’s probably the best thing anyway.”

Seven years on from that day, Sophie – a former pupil at Fleet School in South End Green – is about to compete in front of the world in an attempt to win medals in the 100m and 200m sprints with a prosthetic limb.

“She was born with a deformed right leg,” said Steve, 49, who himself attended Haverstock School. “As she got older the difference in length between her two legs became more pronounced and she had difficulty walking. 

“She was in a wheelchair for a year before having her right leg amputated below the knee when she was nine. But she was a prankster, she would deliberately fall out of her wheelchair just for a joke. 

“She was never a shrinking violet when it came to her disability – she’s always been open about it.”

The family later moved to Bath, Avon, where Sophie’s parents set up Rosie Flo, the children’s colouring book company. 

One set of grandparents still live in Camden Town, with the other set in Hampstead.

“She used to say, ‘I was bitten by a shark’ to new people in her class at school – whether they believed her or not was another matter,” said Steve.

Sophie won her first race during her time at Fleet Primary School after initially coming last during a Year 6 sports day. “After she had her leg amputated she was incredibly mature about it,” said Steve. “But it is a big deal when you have to get used to no leg from having a leg. 

“On sports day, when she was 10 years old, she entered the 100m sprint – she’d always won, she’d always been very agile and nimble when she was very young. But then obviously having a prosthetic right leg she couldn’t beat the other kids and she came last. So as soon as it was finished she asked the PE teacher if they could add in another race to the events – a hopping race. They did, and she hopped 100 metres to the finishing line on her left leg. She won that one.”

In May she competed for the Paralympic World Cup at Manchester’s Regional Arena, winning a bronze medal in the 200m final. 

Steve added: “She trains for about two hours, five days a week. She’s pretty laidback about it, which is probably the advantage of being young – you don’t worry half as much as your parents will.”

On Saturday, she will run the 100m sprint round to try to get through to the final, and the 200m round on Wednesday. 

Last week, Sophie gained nine GCSEs, with two A* grades, four As, and three Bs and hopes to “combine” talents to form her future ambitions. Her father said: “She is very keen to go to Rio in 2016, but she’s also a very talented illustrator and would love to do that.”

Warm cheers for 'kiss' as flame arrives in Regent's Park

HUNDREDS of flag-wavers clapped and cheered on the Paralympic torch relay in Regent’s Park yesterday (Wednesday), writes Tom Foot.

It arrived carried by a group of Kenyans, some who lost their legs to childhood polio, and Camden resident Jane Anthony, chief executive of the charity AbleChildAfrica.

The “kiss” – where one torch ignites another – was made at the Ready Money drinking fountain in the park’s Broad Walk around noon.

The transfer had been delayed for around two hours due to problems earlier on the route and there were spots of rain. But nothing could dampen the crowd’s spirits.

Children went for rides on fun-style disability bikes, provided by The West Euston Partnership. 

There was also football, volleyball and rowing machines in the park. 

Mum Liz Morgan, who lives in Swiss Cottage, brought her kids down to see the flame. 

She said: “I’m really glad so many people have come in the end, because you did wonder whether they would. I was away for the Olympics relay in Camden Town so it’s great to be here and be part of it. The Olympic Games was just fantastic and I just really hope these Games are just as popular.”

The torch had come from Europe’s first Hindu temple, in Neasden, visiting the Abbey Road Beatles’ crossing and Lord’s Cricket Ground before popping in to see the penguins at London Zoo.