Parasports fans will again flock to the Queen Elizabeth Park to see a selection of the world’s best athletes compete in the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games.
National Paralympic Day (26 July 2015) is a great opportunity to come along and cheer Paralympic heroes from the 2012 Games as well as spot those aiming to making an impact in Rio in just over a year’s time.
The Olympic stadium and London Aquatics Centre will host the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games and incorporate the IPC Athletics Grand Prix and see the world’s best parasport athletes return to these great venues for the first time in two years.
London 2012 lives long in the memories of both fans and athletes, one of which, Paralympic gold medal winning wheelchair athlete, David Weir, spoke with Able Magazine to express how he thinks it’ll feel to be back.
Why is it so important for you to take part in National Paralympic Day?
It’s a great opportunity to go and race in that stadium again where, obviously, I found such success in 2012 and if I can promote Paralympians and Paralympic sport then I feel like I’m doing my job.
Has enough been done to harness the boost to parasport caused by the 2012 Games?
I think we could have a few more events around the country to promote it. To have it in London – I think everyone wants to come to the stadium and everyone wants to see us race there because it brings back memories. It’s part of the Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games so it’s never going to get boring or dull. It’s going to happen every year because something special happened here during that month of competition during the Olympics and Paralympics.
Should there be a parasports schedule at the Diamond League meetings?
I’ve always said that. I’ve always said that they should put wheelchair racing events in the Diamond League – which I do anyway. I go and race at Diamond League events around Europe. Alright, it’s an exhibition race but it’s in the main programme: I go to Paris, Zurich so it’s not a problem. It’s not as if they can’t do it and the crowd like it because it’s something different. We did it at Crystal Palace – it can happen.
Is this an important meeting for you – that will perhaps help you to decide if you’ll defend all four of your Paralympic titles?
Yeah, it’s important to do well this year because you want to put on a performance a year before the Games. I don’t want people to think well, ‘maybe he’s past it’ or ‘has he still got it?’ so I’ll give it my best like I did in London. I’m doing a lot of races this year but I get better and fitter the more races I do. It’ll be a good test. I’ll cut my number (of races) down going into Olympic year and just pick and choose the right races – to the ones I feel will get me into that race mode ready for Rio.
26 July: Tickets from £10
To buy tickets or call: 08000 556056.
You will also have the chance to try out disability sport for yourself and enjoy The Mayor of London’s Liberty Festival, which showcases the nation’s finest talent in Deaf and disability arts within the park and all for free.