'The Beijing Paralympic Games will be remembered for wonderful elite sport, superb organisation, stunning venues and spectacular opening and closing ceremonies' said Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee. 'I would like to congratulate BOCOG on being such good hosts. The performance of the Chinese team in topping the table is phenomenal, and we are proud of the fact that ParalympicsGB are second. The Paralympic world has received a warm welcome in Beijing. We have learned some important lessons and my team has found being on observer programmes and seeing a summer Games in action to be an invaluable experience. We have been impressed by the high level of commitment to the Paralympic Games.
'London is proud to be the next summer Paralympic host city and we look forward to welcoming the world in 2012' he said.
The London 2012 organisers will have several objectives to look at after the Games:
Handover Segment
London 2012 also confirmed that the journey to the London 2012 Games will continue to be told on a double decker bus in London’s eight minute segment at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games on 17th September. This is the second part of the same story, following on from the Olympic handover slot, which tells the story of life in London.
For the first time, an organising committee will be using the same themes and many of the same cast members in both segments. The presentation will showcase the next generation of young performers, and the power of the Games to inspire change as reflected in the transformation of the bus from Olympic to Paralympic mode during the Closing Ceremony of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. The Handover show during the Olympic Games represented the journey from London to Beijing, and the show tomorrow at the Paralympic Closing Ceremony represents the journey from Beijing back to London.
'The performance highlights the connection between culture and sport and involves dancers from Zoo Nation, CandoCo and athletes from ParalympicsGB' said Bill Morris, Director of Culture, Ceremonies and Education at London 2012. 'The performers in our Paralympic segment are the next generation, giving the balance between those who inspired at our Olympic show and those who inspire at our Paralympic show.'
– Ends –
For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100
- To carry on Beijing’s work in terms of level of service to athletes;
- To ensure a speedy transition between the two Games in terms of the look and feel of the city so that everyone knows London is a Paralympic city;
- To ensure that detailed planning work on the Paralympic Games continues;
- To ensure that venues are designed with accessibility as a top priority;
- To examine the spectator experience and ensure that stadia will be as full as possible;
- Further developing the presentation of Paralympic sport and athletes on the field of play, and in the venues through multi-media channels;
- Look at how to present the Paralympic Games throughout London and the UK by use of live sites and other celebrations, and involve the whole nation in the opening and closing ceremonies;
- Build on the extensive volunteer programme. Volunteers are the face of the Games and can create some of the best experiences.
