Paralympic Films To Launch On Channel 4
Blind football Team GB captain David Clarke is one of ten Paralympic
athletes who are starring in a new series of short films on Channel 4 in
which they openly discuss their dedication to their sport and the
sacrifices they are making in their journey to this year’s Paralympic
Games.
Clarke believes there should only be gold medals in sport.
Each one of his five European Championship silver medals, he says,
reminds him of what should have been done and mistakes that were made.
?Speaking
in a unique short film which premieres on Channel 4 tonight, Clarke
describes how he feels that coming second at this year’s Paralympic
Games will be a bitter disappointment.
?The series of ten short
films is the second jointly commissioned by Channel 4 and Sainsbury’s,
the first Paralympics-only sponsor, and produced by IMG.
?The
90-second films also feature Paralympic gold-medalist and
record-breaking swimmer Ellie Simmonds, Paralympic gold medal-winning
cyclist Jody Cundy, Paralympic gold medal-winning archer Danielle Brown,
World Champion sprinter Hannah Cockcroft, wheelchair rugby player
Mandip Sehmi, wheelchair basketball player Helen Turner, field athletics
competitor Stephen Miller and world no. 2 table tennis player Will
Bayley.
?The films will air daily on Channel 4, the official
broadcaster of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, at 7.55pm from January
30th and at 7.30pm on Friday, February 3rd and February 10th.
They will subsequently be repeated in a range of slots across the Channel 4 schedule and on the Channel 4 Paralympic website.
?Deborah
Poulton, Channel 4 Sports Editor, Paralympics said: ‘These
thought-provoking films highlight the utter determination and focus of
our Paralympians as they prepare for this year’s Paralympic Games. By
sharing their innermost thoughts on camera about how much that ultimate
gold medal means to them and what they are prepared to sacrifice in the
hunt for it, these athletes are being held up as a true inspiration to
Channel 4 viewers.’
?Jat Sahota, Sainsbury’s head of sponsorship,
added: ‘The truly incredible athletes featured in these films have
fantastic stories to tell, which embody everything that is great about
the UK’s Paralympians. The Paralympic Games are an ideal platform from
which to talk to customers about our commitment to promoting healthier,
more active lifestyles for all ages and abilities, and we hope these
films will inspire the nation as we head towards London 2012.’? ?
The
sponsorship, which they share with BT, includes a variety of programme
broadcast across the Channel 4 network leading up to the London 2012
Paralympic Games as well as the live coverage and highlights shows
broadcast during the Games themselves.
