How far we have come since that split-second of hesitation before the word ‘London’ came from the mouth of the IOC president in Singapore over four years ago. As I watched the excitement spread around me as I sat in City Hall on that fateful day in July 2005, I immediately understood that by being given the Olympic and Paralympic torches, we had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to improve our city for disabled and deaf people.
Fast forward to just over a year ago, I was lucky enough to be part of the Paralympic Games in Beijing, both as an observer and also one of the London representatives in the Paralympic Torch Relay.
It was only being part of this that I actually understood the immensity of the potential impact of the Games on a city and its people. As I carried the Torch in the early morning September sun in the Summer Garden, having got up at four to take my place as Torch Bearer number 58, I realised what it meant to be part of the spirit of the Games.
As the crowds lining the route chanted welcome to Beijing and the flame flickered on its 50 m journey there was a shift from cynicism to pride and the realisation as I moved along the waterfront that I would always remember this moment.
As I passed the flame onto my Chinese torchbearer partner with a common understanding of our connection in a moment of time, I felt that tingle of anticipation about what the power of the Games can achieve in my city.
Now I am very privileged to be able to look out over our new Olympic and Paralympic Park from my desk in Canary Wharf, one of increasing numbers of disabled people working for London 2012.
On the one-year anniversary of the launch of access now I can see around me how far we've moved in our commitment to employ disabled people.
Now, with less than 1,000 days to go to the Opening Ceremony of the Paralympic Games, I'm very proud to be helping to deliver the Singapore vision of the most inclusive and accessible Games ever.
The Games at its heart is about people. People achieving great things in sport and inspiring others to do the same. People creating the very best in arts and culture. People achieving new standards of design and inclusion. People learning new skills and taking up new opportunities.
I am passionate that disabled people from all communities in our great city can connect to the life-changing possibilities of London 2012. Whether it is in sporting excellence, as part of the workforce or as a volunteer, or simply as a spectator.
London 2012 is everybody's Games. Please come and join us and join in.
