Pilgrim lost his right leg from just above the knee following an accident in November 2009 but after being fitted with a prosthetic leg, he has become a top athlete in the T42 100 and 200 metres.

However, despite his quality, Pilgrim looked set to miss out on the Paralympics due to the fact that Antigua and Barbuda does not have a National Paralympic Committee (NPC).

This meant that even though he made the qualifying times for the 2011 Parapan American Games in Guadalajara next month, Pilgrim is unable to compete at the event.

However, the Antigua and Barbuda NOC have stepped in to aid his quest with the President of the organisation Senator Paul Greene presenting him with a cheque for $5,000 (£3,189/€3,661) to aid his preparations.

Greene also confirmed that they will support him to compete at London 2012 under the banner of the NOC, which is allowed under International Paralympic Committee (IPC) rules.

The NOC President said it is customary for society to put away people when they become disabled but that he intends to do all in its power to assist Pilgrim to fulfil his dreams.

Pilgrim has already qualified for the 2012 Paralympics with times of 14.62sec in the 100m and 33.24 in the 200m.

He will next be going off to the United States to have an upgrade on his prosthetic limb to have it strengthened in time for the 2012 Paralympics where he will look to make history at the Olympic Stadium in Stratford.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]