This Weekend on BBC Sport

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	STEVE CRAM AT THE PARALYMPICS Apparently Beijing and its residents have been suffering withdrawal symptoms since the Olympics ended nearly two weeks ago. Thankfully the perfect antidote is at hand as the Paralympic Games spring into life on Saturday. Over 4000 competitors across 20 different sports will light up the iconic venues again for 12 more days of enthralling action. The Chinese have embraced the Paralympics with the same enthusiasm as they showed during the Olympics and they have equally high expectations of their Paralympic team. They topped the medal table in Athens with 141 medals but are expected to do even better on home soil. In the Bird's Nest stadium the big star will undoubtedly be Oscar Pistorius of South Africa. The Blade Runner failed in his attempt to compete against his able bodied counterparts in August so surely he will be determined to steal the limelight in the 100m, 200m and 400m in the T44 class. He may be pushed for star billing by Great Britain's David Weir who is attempting to win five gold medals in the wheelchair distance events from 400m up to the marathon. David says he's in the best shape of his life and he will have to be. It's a busy schedule with the toughest and longest event on the very last day. There will be multi-medallists in the pool as well, with South Africa's Natalie Du Toit sure to win her fair share. Natalie competed in the 10km open water event during the Olympics making her the first athlete to compete in both Games. At each Paralympic Games the number of countries winning medals increases, with 75 getting on the table last time. It's a mark of how competitive the Paralympics have become and also how difficult it is to win a medal. It should all be more than enough to get Beijing alive again. Steve Cram is part of the BBC's presenting team at the Paralympics THIS WEEKEND ON BBC SPORT  All the TV and radio times PARALYMPICS  bbc.co.uk/paralympics Saturday Paralympics: Opening ceremony (1250-1630, BBC One/online). Sunday Paralympics: Live coverage (1000-1300, BBC Red Button/online): Highlights loop (1300-0600 next day, BBC Red Button/online); Live coverage (1325-1530, BBC Two/online). FOOTBALL  bbc.co.uk/football Saturday Football Focus (1210, BBC One/online); Macedonia v Scotland commentary (1400, BBC Radio 5 Live/online); Wales v Azerbaijan commentary - 2nd half only (1600, BBC Radio 5 Live/online); Slovakia v N. Ireland commentary - 2nd half only (1730, BBC Radio 5 Live/online); Andorra v England commentary (1900, BBC Radio 5 Live/online). OTHER SPORT  bbc.co.uk/tvandradio Saturday Formula One: Belgium Grand Prix practice (1000-1105, Radio 5 Live sports extra/online); Equestrian: Burghley Horse Trials - Cross Country (1000-1700, BBC Red Button/online); Formula One: Belgium Grand Prix qualifying (1300-1400, Radio 5 Live/online); Tennis: US Open, Men's semi-finals (1600-2200, Radio 5 Live/online); Boxing: Amir Khan v Breidis Prescott (2200 approx, Radio 5 Live/online); Tennis US Open, Women's final (0100, Radio 5 Live/online). Sunday Formula One: Belgium Grand Prix live (1300, Radio 5 Live/online); Equestrian: Burghley Horse Trials (1530-1700, BBC Two/online); Athletics: Women's 5k Challenge (1700-1730, BBC Two/online); Rugby league: The Super League Show (1205-1305, BBC One North/online and 0435-0535, BBC Two/online/iPlayer); Rugby union: Guinness Premiership - Gloucester v Leicester (1600-1800, Radio 5 Live/online); Tennis: US Open, Men's final (2100, Radio 5 Live/online). ...AND ON THE WEBSITE THIS WEEK  bbc.co.uk/sport Where will Paralympic medals be won?  Day-by-day guide to Great Britain's Beijing campaign History of the Paralympics  How the Games became a global event
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