National Paralympic Day: World-Class Sport And Activities Galore

This is a sponsored article on behalf of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

If you’re looking for action, you’ll be hard-pushed to find a space more jam-packed with things to see and do than Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park over the weekend of 24-26 July.

Three huge events come together over three big days in the park: National Paralympic Day, Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival and Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games. That means world-class sport, music, dance, film, performance, art and family-friendly activities all on offer within the 560 acres of London's newest park.

All three events have a focus on active, fun, community events so there’s no need to pick just one. Book what you can’t bear to miss in advance, but with so much to choose from, you can get stuck in with a whole lot more while you’re there.

National Paralympic Day - 26 July

Cheer on international Paralympians as they return to compete at the London 2012 venues on National Paralympic Day.

The big emphasis this year is on swimming and there’s an all-star line up of British swimmers ready to take on their international rivals once more at London Aquatics Centre. Ellie Simmonds will be back for the first time since the 2012 Olympics and is joined by Ollie Hynd, Jessica-Jane Applegate, plus a whole host of World and European champions including Andrew Mullen, Stephanie Millward and James Crisp. It should be fast, furious and a lot of fun.

The world's best para-athletes will also be competing on Sunday in the former Olympic Stadium as Sainsbury's Anniversary Games incorporates the IPC Grand Prix Series finale (more on that below). The line-up includes six-time Paralympic champion David Weir, who’ll return to the stadium where he won three of his four gold medals in the London 2012 Paralympics.

Ticket prices start from just £10 and can be booked online here.

London’s Liberty Festival - 26 July

National Paralympic Day is complemented by a colourful, high-energy, interactive and FREE afternoon of activities courtesy of London’s Liberty Festival. Meet Paralympic stars, try out a range of disability sports, or kick back and enjoy the programme of live music, outdoor performances and visual art installations.

Everything costs nothing, so if you want to try your hand at wheelchair basketball or boccia, you can just rock up and have a go, or get stuck in with the live music stages, circus performances, inflatable structures, performing arts premieres and storytelling sessions on offer throughout the day.

Many events cater for, or are hosted by, those with disabilities. The entire day is inclusive, with wheelchair dance, signed music sets, performing arts for the visually impaired, assistive music technology for disabled musicians and music projects for people with learning disabilities all on the agenda.

Take a look at the website for a full list of what’s on.

Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games - 24-26 July

Why not make a sporting weekend of it and get fully behind Team GB and Paralympics GB — after all there's just one year to go till Rio 2016! Sainsbury's Anniversary Games start on Friday evening with top sprinters from home and away competing in the pocket rocket of Olympic sports, the 100m sprint. Across the weekend even more athletic royalty descends on the park, as sport stars including Greg Rutherford, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Mo Farah and Usain Bolt return to compete in the prestigious IAAF Diamond League, ahead of Sunday's exciting Paralympic programme.

Tickets start from £22.25 with concessions available and can be booked online here.