Paralympics Chief Expects Best Games Ever; 2012 Qualification Updates

Paralympics Chief Expects London to Top Beijing

One year out from the 2012 Paralympics, the head of the International Paralympic Committee tips next year's Games to be the best ever.

"The excitement is building by the day, and as we get closer, I truly believe that London 2012 is shaping up to be just as good as Beijing, if not better," IPC president Philip Craven was quoted on the organization's official website.

"London also has the unique opportunity to be a truly global event - not just in terms of athletes and countries taking part - but spectators and TV viewers. The city is a short journey from many European cities and also home to many large international communities.

"Therefore, next year I don’t think it will just be the British athletes who will enjoy the passionate vocal support that a home crowd brings."

A total of 4,200 athletes from 150 countries are set to compete at the London Paralympics. With more media coverage of a home Paralympics, it's anticipated that the number of TV viewers will top the cumulative audience of 3.8 billion that tuned in for the Beijing Paralympics.

Craven believes the Games will leave a significant legacy for the Paralympic Movement. "Our elite athletes will captivate billions around the world, will inspire millions, and ultimately lead societal change and help alter perceptions of what can be achieved by a person with an impairment," he said.

He hopes the Paralympics will also raise the profile of the Agitos –the symbol of the Paralympic Movement –as well as its meaning.

"I want more people to understand the IPC’s objectives for organizing one of the biggest multisport events in the world.

"Our symbol represents our role in bringing athletes from all around the world together through the Movement, whether that be through grassroots sport or the elite level.

"There is no greater showcase then to do it in front of millions of spectators and billions of TV viewers at London 2012."

On Sept. 8, LOCOG will stage International Paralympic Day in London's famed Trafalgar Square. The event will showcase all 20 Paralympic sports with demonstrations coming in 10 of them.

South Africa's "Blade Runner" Oscar Pistorius, who became the first amputee to compete at the IAAF world championships in Daegu, will be among the 100 athletes on hand to engage with the British public.

Around two million tickets for the London Paralympics go on sale Sept. 9; three quarters of them are priced under $33.

Hoops Berth for Tunisia

Tunisia will representAfrica in the men’s basketball tournament at the 2012 Olympics instead of usual suspect Angola.

The former shocked the latter 67-56 in the Afrobasket gold medal game staged Sunday in Madagascar.

"This is the most beautiful day of my life," said Salam Mejri, who averaged 8.9 points, nine rebounds and 2.4 blocks en route to Tunisia’s first-ever title.

Angola had won six straight Afrobaskets but must now fight to keep its Olympic hopes alive. Both Angola and bronze medalist Nigeria will be entered into a 12-team qualifying tournament held just prior to the Games.

Tunisia joins reigning world champs USA and host Great Britain as the only three countries already into the 2012 tourney.Continental championships in Europe, Asia, Oceania and the Americas over the next few weeks will determineanother six berths with the final three spots in the 12-team field up for grabs at the qualifying tournament.

Hockey Squads Gifted 2012 Qualification

The women’s hockey teams of Australia and New Zealand are bound for the London Olympics despite not winning – or even playing – a single qualifying match.

Both countries were gifted berths Monday when Fiji pulled out of the upcoming Oceania Cup, a three-team tournament from which the top two finishers move onto the Games.

With Australia ranked seventh in the world, New Zealand sixth and Fiji 60th, the change guarantees results that were all but inevitable.

Ranked 72nd in the world, Fiji will still compete in the men’s Oceania Cup slated for Oct. 5 through 9 in Hobart, Australia.

Hockey is expected to be among the most popular sports at the 2012 Games with Team Britain likely to field a strong team.

Olympic Equestrian Field Takes Shape

France and Sweden are the latest countries to qualify for equestrian’s team competition at the 2012 Olympics.

Both countries booked their trips to London over the weekend with top placements at the European eventing championships. France finished second and Sweden fourth. Gold medalist Germany had already qualified for the Games, and bronze medalist Great Britain is using a host nation exemption.

Canada, New Zealand, USA, Germany, and Belgium all earned berths at last year’s World Equestrian Games.

The final three spots will be up for grabs at the Asia Pacific eventing championship next month and at the Pan American Games in October.

Written by Mark Bisson and Matthew Grayson.