London bid must not forget Paralympics
May 19, 2003 3:47 PM
Liz wants to see the Paralympic Games form a central part of the London bid for the 2012 Olympics.
The Liberal Democrat European Spokesperson on sport and disabled people's rights is calling on the Government and UK Sport not to forget the Paralympics in their bid for the 2012 Olympic Games to be held in London.
Liz Lynne MEP, who was the Rapporteur of the European Year of Disabled People 2003, believes a commitment to the Paralympics should be a central part in the UK bid:
"The 2000 Sydney Paralympics demonstrated how successful and important these games can be, but there are worrying signs that the 2004 Athens Paralympics will not be as well supported. I am concerned that in the discussion so far about the 2012 London bid, very little mention has been made about ensuring the London Paralympics will not merely be considered as an afterthought."
"Our ability to host a successful Paralympic Games should be a key selling point for the UK. The first paralympian event was held alongside the London Olympics in 1948. London is a relatively accessible city - although there is significant room for improvement - and our track record in supporting our paralympians is good, as the medals brought home from Sydney can testify. Making the Paralympics central to the London bid will gain us great credit in the eyes of the International Olympics Committee.
"But actions speak louder than words. National and trans-national disabled people's sports events are held on a regular basis in the UK, yet they lack the support of the Paralympics once every four years. Our ability to ensure such events are a success could well be a deciding factor in the eyes of the IOC."
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