Paralympians are seen as the most inspirational athletes by children and young people, according to research by Virgin Media.

When asked which group of sportspeople youngsters look up to most, nearly a third (30 per cent) of respondents valued the grit and attitude shown by paralympians, followed by olympians (21 per cent), footballers (9 per cent) and rugby players (5 per cent).

The research also found that paralympians are considered to be the most fearless athletes (31 per cent of all respondents), followed by rugby players (18 per cent).

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association, said: “We know ParalympicsGB athletes are amongst the most inspirational and the most fearless figures in public life and their success can have a real impact by challenging perceptions of what disabled people can achieve.”

The study was conducted in the run up to the Pyeongchang 2018 Paralympics, which begin later this week (9 March).

Paralympics GB will be sending a team of 17 athletes to the event, the biggest representation since the Turin Games in 2006.

In all, The Games will feature up to 670 athletes, competing in 80 medal events across six sports.

ParalympicsGB is hoping to follow on from its most successful Games of modern times, winning six medals at the Sochi 2014 Games.