PHIL Lane reflected on an outstanding success after Great Britain surpassed all the targets set before them in the Paralympic Games in Beijing.
The team's chef de mission applauded the 206-strong team which completed the XIII Paralympics with 42 gold, 29 silver and 31 bronze medals, second only to hosts China in the medal table.
"By anybody's standards it's impressive," said Lane, who
also oversaw Britain's second-placed finish in Athens, when 35 golds and 94 medals were claimed.
"It is a fantastic achievement to go beyond our target of 35, to hit our target of 100 in all, and I'm really proud of the team."
When Darren Kenny won his fourth gold – the last of a remarkable 17 claimed by Britain's cyclists – in the men's road race on Saturday, Britain moved one behind China in the medal table.
But the hosts pulled clear to once again demonstrate their sporting supremacy after finishing top of the standings at last month's Olympics.
"It's a tough environment to come into when you've got China who have invested as they have in Paralympic sport," added Lane. "We knew they were going to be a tough act. I think the fact that we stayed on their coat tails for two thirds of the Games has really been testament to the preparation our guys have done and everybody can be really proud of the British team on that basis."
Britain stayed ahead of age-old rivals the United States and Australia, while emerging nations like Ukraine and Brazil also put in strong performances.
Lane has now called for the investment to be made to enable the Paralympic team to improve again as hosts in London in four years time.
"We're always looking to improve," he said. "Let's analyse where we've been successful, and identify any weaknesses and put things right."
Britain were the leading cycling nation, winning 12 out of 13 events entered at the Laoshan Velodrome and five out of nine on the road. There were also 41 medals won in the swimming pool and ten by the equestrian team, but athletics yielded only two gold medals.
"Let's build on that to take it through to London – that would be the real challenge," said Lane.
