Paralympic Legend Praises London Movement

Multi-gold medalist Natalie Du Toit has praised the success of the London Paralympics, describing the city as a leader of the Paralympic movement and successfully raising awareness of the Games. 

Speaking ahead of the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards in Johannesburg, du Toit said: ‘Beijing was the first step in disability awareness. Before the kids were hidden from the rest of the community because they were shy of them, but the Beijing Olympics really brought that out.’ 

‘London though is definitely the leader in the Paralympic movement.’ 

The 13-time gold medal winner also pointed out individuals who had made a difference to the overall atmosphere of London 2012, and boosting the awareness and progress of the Paralympic movement.

The South African added: ‘Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, for example, is proving to be a leader in the movement. Going out there and changing things such accessibility, to ensure that wheelchair users can get off the train at platforms okay. These things make a huge difference.’

‘It was fantastic to see as an athlete how easy it was, and it was fantastic to be there at London 2012 and experience that.’

Du Toit was joined by former Bafana Bafana and Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe and French rugby legend Serge Betsen, who came together on Wednesday in Johannesburg to preview the Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards 2013. 

The sport industry’s flagship event will be held at Emperors Palace on Thursday evening, with the elite of South African sport set to join the trio at the star-studded Awards ceremony.

Join the conversation and be the first to find out the winners by following @SportIndustrySA and using the hashtag #VASIA13 on Twitter.