11th February, marks 200 days to the Paralympic Games in London. As with the Olympic Games, the UK is prepared and gearing up to receive athletes, press and government delegations for this international and inclusive sporting showcase!
Hosting the Paralympics in 2012 will be a particularly special moment for the UK as the country that founded the Paralympic movement in 1948 and put disability sport on the map. Dr Ludwig Guttman held the first disability sport competition: an archery competition for wounded WWII war veterans at Stoke Mandeville hospital in 1948. 4 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.’
This year, almost 4200 athletes will compete in 20 sports in 15 different venues over 11 days! London 2012 is the first Games where the planning and organisation of the Olympics and Paralympics has been fully integrated, and disability access has been incorporated into the design and structure of the buildings, open spaces and public transport. Everything has been done in consultation with disability advisory groups to make this the most accessible Games ever, and ensure as many as people as possible can enjoy the spectacle. It’s going to be great…
And here in Guatemala we’re also counting down the remaining few weeks to our biggest and best British Week ever, with 8 events in 10 days between 2-10 March. Our website and Facebook site now have information on all the events taking place and how you can get involved. Celebrating British icons such as top UK Universities, cars and fish & chips, the Beatles and Her Majesty the Queen, alongside opportunities for UK-Guatemalan trade and local charity fund raising, there’ll be something for everyone.
We look forward to seeing you!