• Visas to the UK
• Holidays in the UK
• Working in the UK
• Studying in the UK
• About the UK
• London 2012 Olympics
• The UK's winning Olympic bid
• Marking 200 days to London 2012 with a flag-raising ceremony
• London 2012 Quiz: Results and Winners
• See Britain
• Celebrating International Paralympic Day with London 2012 hopefuls
• Singapore starts countdown to London 2012 Olympics
• London 2012 Olympics - 500 Days To Go
• Diamond Jubilee 2012

Celebrating International Paralympic Day with London 2012 hopefuls

Supported also by the Singapore Disability Sports Council and the National Library Board, a panel discussion was held via video conference between Mr Daniel Lucker, a UK wheelchair-racer aspiring to compete in London 2012, and two Singapore para-athletes, swimmer Ms Theresa Goh and wheelchair-racer Mr Muhammad Firdaus.

Gracing the event was HE Antony Phillipson, the British High Commissioner to Singapore.

He said, “International Paralympic Day is an opportunity for us to demonstrate the diversity and dynamism of the UK as we look forward to the Paralympic Games in August 2012, and for us to celebrate the achievements of the thousands of people who have refused to accept that a disability can stop them fulfilling their dream of performing at the highest level on the global sporting stage.”

The video conference provided a glimpse of what the Paralympic Games meant to Mr Daniel Lucker, Ms Theresa Goh and Mr Muhammad Firdaus, as they shared about their motivations and some nuggets of wisdom to aspiring athletes.

“The important thing is not to think about it as a disability, but focus on what you are able to do,” said Mr Daniel Lucker. “That is how I would encourage young people aspiring to be athletes.”

Ms Theresa Goh, who has to balance competing, studies and work, said, “What motivates me to be an athlete is my family. They have been very encouraging of me doing sports. More importantly, competing is something that I enjoy doing.”

Perhaps Mr Muhammad Firdaus puts it best. “To me, there is very little difference between the Olympics and Paralympics. Both are about putting in your best effort.”

Further information

International Paralympic Day 2011 in London

The event is being celebrated in Trafalgar Square, London today. It aims to showcase the 20 Paralympic sports, enabling the public to find out more about next year's Games. The day will also see the International Paralympic Committee extending an invitation to athletes and National Paralympic Committees around the world to participate in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Ticket Sales

You can apply for tickets to the London 2012 Paralympic Games between 9 September 2011 and 26 September 2011 at http://www.tickets.london2012.com.