Chris Holmes, Director of Paralympic Integration for the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG), joined members of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games this week at the IBSA World Blind Football Championships in Hereford.
Chris, originally from the West Midlands, is one of the UK’s most successful Paralympians, winning nine gold, five silver and one bronze medal at Paralympic Games from 1988 to 2000. His visit kick-started his two week tour of the UK to mark and celebrate two years to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games. The tour aims to encourage people, particularly those with a disability, to apply to the London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme by showcasing sporting facilities designed for athletes with disabilities and Paralympic sporting endeavours across the UK.
Chris joined the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games at the World Blind Football Championships in Hereford to support this direct pre-qualifier to the Paralympic Games and the biggest disability football event ever to be held in the UK. Chris toured the excellent facilities at the Point4 in Hereford and participated in a Blind Football coaching session with young people from the area. Chris also met Paralympic hopefuls Glenn Scott and Charlotte Fisher from Worcestershire and Herefordshire’s Alison Moore.
Chris said: “On 29 August it will be exactly two years to go until the start of the 2012 Paralympic Games and we want everyone to start planning their once in a lifetime experience. We are well on track – the venues are nearing completion, our operational plans for the Paralympic Games are coming together and our athletes are training hard to qualify.
“Now it’s the people of the West Midlands’ turn. How will you spend the summer of 2012? Whether it’s buying a ticket, becoming a volunteer, being part of our education or culture programmes – there are hundreds of ways to get involved. Don’t wait – to ensure you don’t miss out, start planning your Games now.”
David Moorcroft, Chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games said: “Great venues, such as ThePoint4, in addition to dedicated volunteers help create great athletes, like Chris himself and the other Paralympians joining us at the Football Championships. With almost two years to go to the start of the Paralympic Games we are delighted to welcome Chris to the West Midlands and, through the IBSA World Blind Football Championships, demonstrate the region’s ability to deliver major events like on this scale.”
Advantage West Midlands is supporting the IBSA World Blind Football Championships. Lindsey Wyke, West Midlands 2012 Coordinator at Advantage West Midlands, said: “We are delighted to be supporting the championships. The West Midlands has a proven track record in staging major international events like this one, which help to increase sustainable economic growth in the region.”
To find out more about the events, activities and opportunities to get involved with London 2012 in the West Midlands visit www.wmfor2012.com
The West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games, hosted by Advantage West Midlands (AWM) and chaired by Olympian David Moorcroft OBE, is the consortium officially recognised by London 2012 to lead and drive forward 2012 activity in the region. The Leadership Group brings together key representatives from each of the region’s six sub regions and from business, sport, culture, tourism, education and skills.