Bradford's sole Paralympian, Pete Finbow, is confident Great Britain will be in the mix for men's wheelchair basketball medals.

They were fourth four years ago in Sydney, but as world silver medallists and European bronze medallists they have every chance of being on the podium in Athens.

The 29-year-old from Holme Wood said: "Canada are the favourites for gold, but we have beaten Australia, who in turn have beaten the Canadians.

"There are 12 teams competing, split into two groups of six, and I reckon there are seven teams that will be fighting it out for the medals."

All the matches will be played in the Olympic Indoor Hall and Great Britain's first match in Group A is on Saturday against Italy, and GB then play Australia (Sunday), France (Tuesday), Brazil (Wednesday) and Canada (Friday).

Finbow reckons that Australia, Canada, Brazil, Italy and Japan are the countries to watch for in addition to Great Britain.

The quarter-finals are a week on Saturday, the semi-finals the following day and the finals are on Tuesday, September 28, but there are also classifications for placings down to 12th.

Great Britain's head coach is Dave Titmuss, who was formerly in charge of England's able-bodied team.

His niece is none other than celebrity Abi Titmuss, and Finbow laughed: "That makes our training sessions a bit more interesting. We give him some rib."

The point guard or guard, who can train and play full-time thanks to funding from UK Sport, was with Bradford Bears, but moved to top-flight Oldham Owls for the 1997-98 National League season in order to enhance his international prospects.

The Athens Paralympics will involve a record number of athletes (4,000) from a record number of countries (143) competing in 19 sports.

There are three other competitors from West Yorkshire in the 166-strong Great Britain team - Halifax's Kevin Plowman, 43, in the tennis and Leeds duo Allan Smith and Cathy Mitton.

Former bronze medallist Mitton, 47, is in the table tennis squad and Smith, 52, takes part in the 2.4mR sailing event.

Phil Lane, Chef de Mission for the British team, expects his side to win between 35 and 42 gold medals and 110 medals in all. Four years ago in Sydney they won 131 (41 gold, 43 silver, 47 bronze), second only to hosts Australia.

The Opening Ceremony is on Friday and the Paralympics close on September, 28.

There are daily highlights on BBC Two (6pm-7.30pm) presented by Clare Balding, including, for the first time, live action. There will also be coverage on Grandstand and Sunday Grandstand. Simon Mayo will be in Athens for Radio Five Live.