Paralympics are coming home

This morning I looked up at our Paralympic countdown clock, which is attached to the front of our Embassy, and realised that it is less than a year to the start of the biggest parasport event in the world.

Today the UK hosts International Paralympic Day for the first time in Trafalgar Square in London; an event usually held in Germany.

This is a great opportunity for the public to experience first-hand the inspiration and excitement that the Paralympic Games will bring to the UK and London next year. It will give the public a chance to find out about each of the 20 sports that will take place at the London 2012 Paralympic Games and features demonstrations of sports such as Wheelchair Basketball, Power lifting and Wheelchair Rugby. Spectators can also witness a Guinness World Record moment for Sitting Volleyball, and get the chance to meet ParalympicsGB stars.

The UK is the birthplace of the Paralympic movement and in 2012 the Paralympics are coming home. We are using the Games to encourage more people into disabled sport at the grassroots level, not only to help find the next generation of Paralympians but to demonstrate how sport can enrich the lives of disabled people more generally.

Our country plans to host the most accessible Games ever in 2012. Disabled advisory groups have been involved from the very beginning of planning to ensure as many people as possible can come and enjoy the Games.

Here in Budapest we have just launched a two-week poster campaign showing Hungarian Paralympic champions and young para-athletes with a great chance of representing Hungary at the London Paralympic Games. These posters, displayed in the Budapest metro at Deak Ferenc ter and Ferenciek tere stations, will be seen by the more than 400,000 people who pass through these stations every day.

With less than a year to go, I want to use this opportunity to encourage people to be part of the 2012 Paralympic experience. Tickets go on sale tomorrow (9 September). We can promise great venues, incredible athletes and an electric atmosphere.

The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of an athlete’s career. We hope they will motivate others to participate or engage in Paralympic sports and help increase social awareness to help create a more inclusive world.