London Olympics bronze medallist M C Mary Kom was on Thursday felicitated with a cash award of Rs 2 lakh by West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

MC Mary Kom, who won a bronze medal at the London Olympics, asked the sportspersons, who could not be on podium in the British capital, to not give up and keep striving hard to win a medal the Brazil Games.

London Paralympics silver medalist Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda will be offered a job at the Sports Authority of India, Sports Minister Ajay Maken said on Wednesday.

Australia's Jacqueline Freney won her fifth gold of the Games in the stand-out performance of the day, after a row involving sprinter Oscar Pistorius overshadowed the sporting action.

Girisha Hosanagara Nagarajegowda gave India its first medal at the Paralympic Games after bagging a silver in the Men's High Jump F42 event here.

Oscar Pistorius was dethroned as young Brazilian Alan Oliveira stole his Paralympic T44 200m crown with a powerful run, topping a successful night on the track for the South American nation.

Cyclist Sarah Storey stormed to her eighth Paralympic gold, taking the women's C5 individual 3km pursuit after a lightning-quick qualifying time that would have won her a non-disabled title.

The London 2012 Paralympic flame will be created on Tuesday at the spiritual home of disabled sport, signifying the start of a 24-hour torch relay before the start of this year's Games.

Away from the glitz and glamour of celebrations to hail the heroes of India's most successful Olympic Games are the unsung non-governmental agencies that played a significant role in the athletes' accomplishments.

After hosting a successful Olympic Games a few days ago, London is readying to welcome about 4,000 athletes for the Paralympic Games and the organisers are confident of leaving a rich legacy.