Jonnie Peacock confirmed for National Paralympic Day
Paralympic stars Jonnie Peacock, Jody Cundy, Aled Davies and Stef Reid are among the London 2012 medallists set to star in celebrations for National Paralympic Day at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on Saturday August 30.
The athletes will be at the Park across the day, signing autographs and meeting fans as part of the free family festivities for National Paralympic Day. The event will also include international Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball, Goalball and Boccia competitions, free community sports sessions and the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, a free showcase of deaf and disability arts. Tickets for the international sports competitions are just £5 and are on sale now - paralympics.org.uk/npd2014.
The London 2012 medallists will join ParalympicsGB’s most successful winter athletes Jade Etherington, Caroline Powell and Sochi gold medallist Charlotte Evans who produced historic performances for Great Britain at the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games earlier this year. The winter Paralympians confirmed their involvement earlier this month.
Peacock, who heads to National Paralympic Day fresh from his success at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea, was excited to be part of the event, which is taking place for the second year. He said:
“I think what blew everyone away at London 2012 was the overwhelming wave of support for the Paralympics and events like this show that the British public still have an appetite for Paralympic sport and are keen to come out and get involved. It’s nearly two years to the day since I won gold at London 2012 and with Rio on the horizon National Paralympic Day is the perfect opportunity for sports fans to come out and show that continued support, by getting tickets to watch the sporting competition and coming down to meet the athletes who’ll be joining me on the day.”
Cundy, who has represented his country at the Paralympic Games on no less than five occasions, also encouraged sports fans to get involved and head down to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 30. Cundy said:
“It’s absolutely fantastic that we can capture the support from London 2012 so that two years on we have an event which offers fans the chance to come together and watch elite competition, meet athletes and try out different sports, all in celebration of the Paralympics. Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be buzzing with activity and there’ll be a great atmosphere on the day, so I’m really looking forward to being part of it.”
Davies, who has claimed a series of international medals following his gold and bronze medal wins at London 2012, was also delighted to be lending his support to National Paralympic Day. He said:
“National Paralympic Day is a brilliant way for people to get involved before Rio and it gives them a chance to show their support for Paralympic sport and the athletes who train day in and day out to give performances that we can all be proud of. I’m looking forward to cheering on the GB athletes when they compete that day and hopefully the crowd will join me in making loads of noise to spur them on. It’s an honour to represent your country but it would mean nothing without the support of the British public who continue to back us. I can’t wait to meet some of the people who are heading along to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that day and share the celebrations with them.”
Fans of Paralympic sport can buy tickets for just £5 to enjoy elite Paralympic sport at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London, with GB athletes set to light up the London Aquatics Centre and the Copper Box Arena when they compete in Swimming, Boccia, Goalball and Wheelchair Basketball.
In addition to the elite sport on offer, National Paralympic Day will once again join up with the Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival to showcase the finest talent in disability sport and arts. A whole a range of free activities are on offer for the whole family to enjoy on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
National Paralympic Day is celebrated through the generous support of the charity, Spirit of 2012 (Spirit).
Debbie Lye, Chief Executive of Spirit said:
“We were established by the Big Lottery Fund last year to sustain the spirit and opportunities of the summer of 2012. It is so exciting that London 2012 medallists have come to support this exciting event; we invest in projects that inspire and empower people and clearly having athletes such as Jonnie Peacock support National Paralympic Day is fantastic as they are such role-models.”
Spirit was established with an endowment of £46m from the sale of the Olympic and Paralympic village. It is investing in happiness; supporting those providing opportunities in sports, the arts and volunteering.
Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow are also gearing up to host celebrations for National Paralympic Day.
