Cameron Targets "Biggest, Best" Paralympics; Lessons Learned from Olympics

(ATR) Prime Minister David Cameron says that London 2012 is shaping up to be the "the best, the biggest and the most incredible Paralympic Games ever".

Cameron was speaking Friday in Trafalgar Square, where he addressed a cheering crowd gathered to see the English version of the Paralympic Flame light the ceremonial cauldron to start torch relay celebrations across the country.

Standing in front of the Agitos that are now draped on the columns of the National Gallery, Cameron praised the initial conception of the Paralympic Games by injured World War Two veterans in Stoke Mandeville hospital.

"And so it is on this day here in London that we can proudly say that the Paralympics are coming home," he said. "I think the Olympic Games made our country proud – I believe these Paralympic Games will make our country prouder still."

"Already this is shaping up to be the best, the biggest and the most incredible Paralympic Games ever. More tickets sold than ever before, more venues sold out than ever before, more athletes taking part than ever before and more hopefuls in the British team than ever before."

The London Paralympics have been talked of as a Games that will change perceptions people have of the disabled, and the Prime Minister added that the athletes taking part are "not people who were defined but what they can’t do, but who are defined by what they can do.

"Once again, we’re going to show the whole world that when it comes to putting on a show, there is no country like Britain and no city like London – so let the Games begin and come on Paralympics GB!"

Cameron watched along with LOCOG chair Sebastian Coe, London mayor Boris Johnson and culture secretary Jeremy Hunt as the cauldron was lit by Claire Lomas, who this year became the first person to complete the London Marathon in a bionic suit.

Johnson said that the Olympic Games were merely a "glorious and detailed overture" for what was to come in the next two weeks. With 2.3 million tickets sold so far – more than any other Paralympics – the Mayor said the city was ready for the challenge.

"The venues are ready, the buses are ready, the transport system is ready, every one of London’s 22,000 black cabs has its ramp ready and we are ready here for the most accessible Paralympics ever," he said.

After the official part of the ceremony, 26 flame ambassadors each collected a splinter of the flame in a lantern to take back to celebrations being held around the country before the relay officially begins in Stoke Mandeville on Tuesday evening.

Lessons for the Paralympics

LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton admitted later Friday there would be empty seats on show during the Paralympics.

"We've planned as carefully for the Paralympics as we have for everything else over the last seven years," he said in a media briefing following the Trafalgar Square event.

"We’ve sold 2.3 million tickets - the target was 2.5 million, but we’re confident we’ll hit that in the time left. Because of roaming tickets you will see some empty seats as spectators move around the venues."

He added that 100,000 tickets would go on sale before the start of the Paralympics on Wednesday, and 100,000 more would go on sale during the Games. LOCOG will also be managing accredited seating as they did at the Olympics, but now of course they can be ahead of the potential problem which appeared to come as a surprise to organizers last month.

Deighton also went on to say that the "Olympic Games has served as a great test event for the Paralympics. There have been lessons learned, especially around the spectator experience."

Coe added: "We're looking forward to great sport and the opportunity to confront some of the misconceptions about disability."

Written and reported in London by Christian Radnedge

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