The Australian Paralympic Committee has gained valuable insight into its planning for the London Paralympic Games after completing its first official visit of the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games sites this week.

With the two year countdown to the Opening Ceremony of the 2012 Paralympic Games officially underway, APC representatives including Chief Executive Jason Hellwig inspected the Paralympic competition venues and other areas of London that may be utilised by the Australian Team during the Games.

The APC also met with LOCOG, the Games organising committee, and is confident in London’s progress in delivering a world-class Games.

“The London 2012 Paralympic Games are promising to be a wonderful experience for all athletes, team officials, families and supporters. The organising committee, LOCOG, have set out to deliver a Games that will be uniquely British. If LOCOG deliver to their plans, and we are confident they will, these will be a most memorable Games for all of us,” Hellwig said.

The APC also visited the Paralympic sailing venue in Weymouth and the rowing venue in Eton, as well as venues which will be used by the Australian Team during its pre-Games training camp in Cardiff, Wales.

“Our planning and approach is lining up perfectly with LOCOG’s approach. Arrangements for our pre-Games training camp in Cardiff are now locked in, including hotels, training venues, sports science and medicine and transport,” he said.

“Cardiff will be a stunning environment for our athletes to undertake their final preparations. The facilities, climate, transport and warmth of the local community are unmatched in the UK.”

With the next major site visit not until September next year, this first site visit has allowed the APC to efficiently plan to ensure Australia’s athletes are better prepared than ever before.

“These will be a Games for Australian athletes to shine,” Hellwig said.

“The APC’s plans to support the team are more advanced in all areas than ever, and I know that every athlete will be fully committed to achieving their best possible performance,” he said.

“For an Australian athlete, achieving success against the ‘old enemy’ on their home soil is a rare and wonderful opportunity.”

By Rebekka Wake
Posted 02/09/2010