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Bring your best athletes to London 2012, IPC President tells Chef de Missions

08 September 2011

Disponible en anglais seulement
By Tom Degun in London

September 7 - International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven has called on the Chef de Missions of the countries currently attending a three-day seminar here to bring their best athletes to London 2012 in order to deliver the best Games ever.

With just 357 days to go until the start of the Paralympics, Sir Philip outlined the IPC's vision for next year's event to representatives of over 100 countries and said the Games would be returning to its spiritual home after the event was conceived at Stoke Mandeville in 1948 by Sir Ludwig Guttmann.

"London 2012 promises to be a truly global Games due to the record number of athletes and countries taking part, but also in terms of TV coverage and the number of attending media," Sir Philip told the London 2012 Paralympic Chef de Missions at the Grange St Pauls Hotel where the seminar is being staged.

"The enthusiasm and hunger for these Games is unprecedented.

"The demand for tickets which go on sale this Friday has exceeded all expectations.

"The foundations for what could be the most successful Games ever are being laid in London.

"All we need now is the athletes."

With many of the venues for next year's Games already built and hosting test events, Sir Philip stressed that the success of the Games was now down to the 4,200 athletes from 150 countries set to compete.

"The London 2012 Paralympic Games will be judged on the performances of athletes and how they make spectators inside the venues - as well as the billions watching on TV - feel," Sir Philip continued.

"Athletes are at the heart of the Paralympic Movement and they are critical to the success of the Paralympic Games.

"Chef de Missions and Team Leaders, your job is a simple one.

"Bring together the best athletes next year and we can deliver the best Paralympic Games ever."

Starting today until September 9, the Chef de Missions Seminar will give NPC representatives the opportunity to receive updates and valuable information on various areas from representatives of the London 2012 as well as from the IPC.

Areas to be covered amongst others include accommodation, accreditation, sport entries and ticketing.

Chef de Missions will also take a tour of many of the new venues that will be used for next year's Paralympic Games and have the opportunity to attend International Paralympic Day (IPD) which takes place at Trafalgar Square tomorrow.
 

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