London thanks Beijing and gets ready to welcome Paralympics in 2012
16/9/2008 18:20
Beijing hosted a fantastic Paralympic Games, said Chairman of the London
2012 Organizing Committee at the press conference held yesterday in Beijing in
Beijing.
"The Beijing Paralympic Games will be remembered for wonderful elite
sport, superb organization, stunning venues and spectacular opening and closing
ceremonies," said Sebastian Coe, Chairman of the London 2012 Organizing
Committee.
He extended his sincere thanks to Beijing Organizing Committee of
the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (BOCOG), adding that London had learned
vital and essential experiences and lessons from Beijing.
"London is proud to
be the next summer Paralympic host city and we look forward to welcoming the
world in 2012," he said.
He also noted that after Beijing Games, London 2012
organizers would carry on Beijing's work in terms of level of service to
athletes, examine spectator experience, further develop the presentation of
Paralympic sport and athletes, and build on the extensive volunteer
programme.
He especially emphasized the importance of volunteers. "The
difference between a good and a great games is the volunteers. Volunteers are
the face of the Games, and we will take the volunteer programme extensively
seriously."
The London organizers also confirmed that the journey to the
London 2012 Games will continue to be told on a double decker bus in London's
eight minute segment at the closing ceremony of the Beijing Paralympic Games
tomorrow.
The presentation would showcase the next generation of young
performers, and the power of the Games to inspire change as reflected in the
transformation of the bus from Olympic to Paralympic mode, said Bill Morris,
director of Culture, Ceremonies and Education at London 2012.
"If the
handover show during the Olympic Games represented the journey from London to
Beijing, and the show tomorrow represents a journey to take Paralympics back to
London," he said.
The London 2012 Paralympic Games will be slated for Aug. 29
- Sept. 9.
Xinhua
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