This is a great opportunity for members of the public to come and discover Paralympic sport.
London 2012’s International Paralympic Day set to thrill Londoners
8 Sep 2011
International Paralympic Day will take place in Trafalgar Square today giving members of the public a whole day of Paralympic activity, Paralympic sport demonstrations and the chance to meet international and GB athletes.
Students from Curwen Primary school and New Woodlands School (both members of the Get Set network) will be invited to take part in the day.
The day will start with sporting demonstrations for Wheelchair Basketball, Rowing, Wheelchair Rugby and Powerlifting so there will be something for everyone to see on their way to work. There will also be a Cadbury’s World Record attempt in Sitting Volleyball for the most number of passes made in a single game without the ball being dropped on the floor. Demonstrations of Wheelchair Tennis and Table-Tennis will follow.
In the morning, there will also be the opportunity to meet Paralympic Gold medallists including April Holmes, Ellie Simmonds, David Weir, Matt Skelhon and Nigel Murray.
At lunchtime, students from Nightingale primary school (a member of the Get Set network) will meet ‘Blade Runner’ and BT Ambassador Oscar Pistorius take on some young school children from one of London 2012’s Get Set schools. There will also be a thrilling 50m race between 100 m World Champion Marie Amelie Le Fur and Beijing Gold medallist April Holmes.
The activity will continue throughout the afternoon. At 7pm, members of the public can be a part of history by attending and watching the official invitation by the International Paralympic Committee to athletes around the world to come and compete at the London 2012 Paralympic Games next summer. Students from Linton Mead primary school in Greenwich (a member of the Get Set network) will be part of the ceremony and carry flags representing countries from around the world.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games said: “I urge everyone to come and take part in International Paralympic Day. It will be a great day for the public who want to find out more about the Paralympic Games and see for themselves why it is such an inspiring and unique event.”
Two talented School Reporters from Thornden School in Hampshire (a member of the Get Set network) reported on the event. Check out what they had to say!
Schools and colleges should join the Get Set network to be in with a chance of being selected to take part in similar exciting events and opportunities related to London 2012.
Apply today!
