Beijing's Second Go At A Games

By Craigie_B Last edited 186 months ago
Beijing's Second Go At A Games
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Beijing's Paralympic Games kick off shortly, hot on the heels of the Olympic Games where Team GB (and those Londoners within its ranks), did us proud.

The Paralympics are a very different kettle of fish. Britain has traditionally done very well at these games, and now that there has been sustained investment from the lottery in elite disabled sport - to the tune of £30m - there is an expectation for the team to improve their performance. With their olympic counterparts doing so well, this will only pile more pressure onto these athletes.

The opening ceremony starts in less than two hours' time and the place is already filling up with a buzzing excitement. This Londonista will be in the Bird's Nest stadium to see it - how will it differ from the olympic one? Will vocalists sing their own songs? Will the fireworks be real? London will be watching and learning ready for our own Paralympic Games in 2012.

Looking at how qucikly the city has been newly dressed with the Parlympic logo everywhere, and how the olympic village and venues have been entirely modified for disabled athletes over a period almost of hours rather days - it's certain that a huge effort and investment will have been made. The event will be on a big scale, it will look great on telly and China will feel it is presenting an impressive view of itself to the world. Let's hope that ParalympicsGB proves as effective in finding heroes within its ranks over the next ten days of sporting history.

Last Updated 06 September 2008