One year to go until 2012 Paralympic Games

Welcome to all, and a special thanks to the first Vice President of the Hellenic Paralympic Committee, Mr Panagiotis Mpalaskas, for joining us.

In less than a year from today, we will welcome the world to London for the 2012 Paralympic Games.

We can say that, when it comes to London, the Paralympic Games is coming home.

What makes the 2012 Games particularly special is that the Paralympic Games are returning to the country that established what was later recognised as the Paralympic movement.

Dr Ludwig Guttman held the first disability sport competition; an archery competition, for wounded WWII war veterans at Stoke Mandeville hospital in 1948.   Four years later, Dutch athletes took part making it an international event and by the 1960 Games 400 athletes from 21 countries took part and the competition was officially recognised as the ‘Paralympic Games.’  (as an aside – one of the 2012 mascots is named “Mandeville” for this reason!)

The growth of the Paralympic movement over the last 50 years has been phenomenal and in 2012 almost 4200 athletes will compete in 20 sports in 15 different venues over 11 days. And we expect 2 million people will come to watch the events.

Today is also of course International Paralympic Day.

Today the UK hosts International Paralympic Day for the first time in Trafalgar Square in London; an event usually held in Germany.
In Trafalgar Square, the International Paralympic Committee will officially invite athletes and National Paralympic Committees to participate in the 2012 Games in London  next year.

There will be demonstrations from athletes from around the world and an attempt to break the world record for the longest ever sitting volleyball rally.

It will be an opportunity for people to learn more about Paralympic sports and be inspired by Paralympic athletes whose commitment, training and performance matches that of their able bodied counterparts. 

The event will provide a taster of what is to come in 2012.

London will be the Most Accessible Games Ever.

The UK is determined to host the most accessible Games ever to ensure as many as people as possible can enjoy the spectacle.

London 2012 is the first Games where the planning and organisation of the Olympics and Paralympic Games has been fully integrated. Disability access has been incorporated into the design and structure of the buildings, open spaces and public transport for 2012. Everything has been done in consultation with disability advisory groups.

The prototype has been created for accessible buses to carry athletes to the venues; they can accommodate six wheelchair users at anytime meaning wheelchair athletes can travel with their teammates.

London Marathon Trust has funded the design of a swimming pool lift for use by disabled swimmers at the Aquatics at the Paralympic Games in 2012. This innovative design will be able to be used in the future by anyone who can’t use pool steps.

UK is the world leader in disability rights.

The UK is renowned internationally for leading the way in disability equality and we want to maintain this reputation. 

We want to harness the opportunity the Games present to bring about a change in the way people think, feel and behave towards disability and disability sport to create a more open and inclusive society.
In general, the Olympic Legacy is a key part of the games, for the host city and for its many visitors. And a number of developments will have lasting benefit for the disabled. More than 8250 London buses have been fitted with an automatic radio and display announcement system to help the visually and hearing impaired.

£4m will be spent on improving access on South Bank one of the most popular areas with visitors to allow disabled visitors to move between historic areas of London.

Accessibility has been built into all new London planning developments for example the improved Oxford Circus crossing on London’s busiest shopping street.

All London buses and black cabs as well as the Thames Clippers and Docklands Light Railway are fully accessible.

An important objective, especially for the Paralympic Games, is to increase grassroots participation in disability sport

We’re also using the Games to encourage more disabled people into sport at the grassroots level. To not only help find the next generation of Paralympians but also to demonstrate how sport can enrich the lives of disabled people and that their disability need not be a barrier.

This is an opportunity to be part of the 2012 Paralympic experience
The Games are not just about inspirational performances from the world’s greatest athletes; they are not just about memorable and spectacular Games and showcasing London and the UK; they are about the people of Britain welcoming the world, and they are about millions of people from across the globe coming together to share in an unforgettable experience.

With less than a year to go, tickets go on sale tomorrow (9 September).
But wherever you are next September, there’s going to be an opportunity to share in the experience.