2012 Paralympic Games
Countdown to the 2012 Paralympic Games
London Paralympic Games: 29 August – 9 September
The final countdown is now on to the London 2012 Paralympic Games with today marking 100 days to go until Australia’s Paralympians attempt to make history.
With a likely size of 300 - 165 athletes and 135 staff - the Australian Team will be one of the largest at the London Games, where more than 4,200 athletes from 160 countries will compete across 20 sports from 29 August – 9 September.
Australia will field a highly competitive team across the 13 sports we’ll be contesting in London. We have finished in the top five on the gold medal tally at every Games since Atlanta 1996, including a fifth place finish in Beijing 2008 (23 gold, 29 silver, 27 bronze) and we are aiming for a spot in the top five. However we know that there will be only a few medals difference between a place in the top five and sitting outside the top 10.
Australia’s Paralympians will begin heading to the UK from late July where the Australian Paralympic Committee will host eight of the 13 sports at a month-long staging camp in Cardiff, Wales.
The City of Sydney is an official supporter of the Australian Paralympic Team competing at the 2012 London Paralympic Games, with a $60,000 sponsorship deal for the squad of 160 Paralympic athletes.
The City will host an official farewell and welcome home reception in honour of the Paralympic team at Sydney Town Hall. Council has also agreed to purchase a $25,000 table at the Prime Minister’s 8th Olympic Dinner, to be held in Melbourne in June, with all proceeds going towards the Australian Olympic Team competing in London this year.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore MP said that as the host city of the “best ever” Olympics and Paralympics in 2000, Sydney has a special affinity with the Games and was delighted to back all our athletes.
“Australia’s Olympic and Paralympic teams are a source of pride and inspiration for many people. As a former Olympic city, and the home and training ground of many of our athletes, this spirit is particularly strong in Sydney.
“We’re happy to support our Paralympic and Olympic teams as they make their final preparations for the London Games, and I know all Sydneysiders will join with me to celebrate their efforts and successes throughout the year.”
Increasing awareness of the contribution and needs of people with a disability is an important part of the City’s role in promoting social inclusion and diversity.
The City of Sydney has provided support in the past through donations and fundraising activities – including purchasing a table at the Prime Minister’s Olympic Dinner in 2000, 2004 and 2008 – as well as hosting welcome home receptions and street parades.
The City will partner with the Australian Paralympic Committee to raise the profile of the athletes and their achievements at a series of community events over the next 12 months.
For more information about the 2012 Paralympic Games visit the website.
