Ftsis 08: Paralympics Can Shine In 2012
Sports development for the Paralympics is a challenge, Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, multi-gold medallist and ambassador to London 2012, told the sport industry, because many people who will be in the next Games do not know yet that they will be competing.
This is just one of the issues regarding the London 2012 Paralympics that was raised at The FT Sport Industry Summit 2008 in association with the Honda Racing F1 Team’s earthdreams programme.
Another was media coverage. When asked who was broadcasting the London Paralympics, Dave Gordon, head of BBC Sport major events, said, “We’re in discussion about the rights. BBC doesn’t have the rights yet, but BBC as a long tradition of covering the Olympics and whatever happens were committed.”
Despite the various issues surrounding the Paralympics raised during the Summit’s Debate about Olympic Opportunities, Mike Lee, CEO of Vero Communications, claimed that London 2012 will be where “the Paralympics can truly come of age.”
Grey-Thompson agreed, stating the Paralympics in Beijing were a success for those who attended, and that atmosphere can be brought to London 2012.
