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Boris wants YOU to join in the fun

National Paralympics Day 2013LONDON Mayor Boris Johnson is urging people from all over the UK – and beyond – to get along to this year’s National Paralympic Day.

Boris said: “With Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park now transformed and fully open, National Paralympic Day will be even better than last year’s successful event.

“Whether you are disabled or not, we’re putting on a fantastic line-up of top flight sporting action as well as some brilliant arts and performance. It’s going to be one of the best events this summer.”

Tickets (£5) are now on sale for the one-day event on Saturday August 30.

Exactly two years to the day since Great Britain won its first medals at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, sporting superstars, including 10 ParalympicsGB medallists from London 2012, will return to the water at the London Aquatics Centre for two thrilling sessions of racing.

Also set to excite spectators will be the stars of Boccia, Goalball and Wheelchair Basketball.

Top athletes from these three Paralympic sports will be in action at the Copper Box Arena, the venue of last year’s event which saw 6,000 supporters cheer on the very best British and international athletes.

Plenty of free, family friendly activities and entertainment will also be taking place across the Park, including the chance to try out different disability and inclusive sports such as wheelchair basketball, inclusive cycling, tennis and boccia.

There will even be the chance to meet some of the stars of London 2012.

The Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, the hugely popular annual showcase of Deaf and disabled artists will again be bringing an exciting line-up of street theatre, dance, live music, film, installations and children’s activities.

Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, Board Member of the London Legacy Development Corporation, said:

“Events like this are vital to ensuring that the momentum from the London 2012 Paralympic Games continues to inspire disabled and non-disabled people to take up sport, try arts and make the most of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.”

Presented by the Mayor of London, the London Legacy Development Corporation and the British Paralympic Association, National Paralympic Day featuring the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival is generously supported by the charity, Spirit of 2012 (Spirit) and Arts Council England.

Spirit was established by the Big Lottery Fund last year, with an endowment of £46m from the sale of the Olympic and Paralympic village. It is working to ensure the spirit that radiated from the London 2012 Games can be felt by everyone, everywhere. It is investing in happiness; supporting those providing opportunities in sports, the arts and volunteering.

Debbie Lye, Chief Executive of Spirit, said: “The Paralympic movement has changed the way we view disability; it is absolutely key to Spirit’s vision that we boost this momentum. We are thrilled to support National Paralympic Day. It is an event that can capture the public’s imagination, promoting positive and engaging role models for young disabled athletes, and showcasing achievements that challenge limited perceptions of what it means to be disabled.”

QueenElizabethOlympicPark.co.uk

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