1 September 2012 Last updated at 04:53 ET By Natalie Grice BBC News

In Beijing, Wales made up 16% of Team GB and was responsible for 25% of its gold medal haul. As an even larger number is fielded for London 2012, BBC News is looking at the factors behind Welsh Paralympic success. Here we look at the role inspiration and legacy play.

The two most successful athletes of the modern Paralympic era are racer Tanni Grey-Thompson and swimmer David Roberts, with 11 golds each.

What do these track and pool sporting greats have in common? Both are Welsh, and both have proved unparallelled role models for Welsh youngsters, whether disabled or not.

Grey-Thompson and Roberts came from a long tradition of Paralympian sport in Wales, which includes John Harris (discus), wheelchair racer Chris Hallam and table tennis player Jim Munkley.

The link between inspiration and participation is massive

Many veteran Paralympians get involved with inspiring the younger generation on a personal level by coaching.

Professor Laura McAllister, the chair of Sport Wales and former Wales football international, said: "Tanni Grey-Thompson and David Roberts have been fantastic role models because we have been able to say, look at Tanni's record.

"They are renowned worldwide and would never dream of allowing either of those two to tell you they're not Welsh.

"Now we have got for example [table tennis player] Sara Head who will talk to the others about being a Paralympian.

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Success inspires next generation