CARDIFF NEWS: Cardiff Council plays vital role as Paralympic teams use city as pre-Games training camp

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 24, 2012

Cardiff Council’s Central Transport Services has been helping the Chinese Paralympic teams get around the city during their stay in Cardiff in the lead up to the London Games.

China is just one of several Paralympic teams who are using facilities in Cardiff for their pre-Games training camp, as they make their final important preparations.

The rowing and wheelchair racing teams have been using both Cardiff International Sports Stadium (CISS) and the Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre during their stay in the city.

In order for them to travel back and forth to practices they required specially adapted minibuses which Cardiff Council provided in partnership with Welsh Government and the Community Transport Association Wales (CTAW).

The specialist transport was used to collect the athletes on arrival from Heathrow together will all their equipment including wheelchairs, racing wheelchairs, luggage and rowing boats before taking them to the Olympic Park and Eton Dorney for the start of the Games.

Cabinet Member for Transport, Cllr Ralph Cook said: “Cardiff is honoured to have been selected by so many Paralympic teams who chose the city as their pre-Games training camp.

“During their stay it was vital they had access to the correct transport in order to take them to and from practices, during one of the most important periods of their careers.

“I am pleased that Cardiff Council has been able to support the Chinese team during their stay in the city and I wish them all the best of luck for the Games.”

Cardiff News: Paralympic Torch comes to Cardiff for free evening of celebrations

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 24, 2012

With just one week to go until the London 2012 Paralympic Games commence, Cardiff will host one of three special Flame Festivals in Cardiff Bay on Bank Holiday Monday 27, August.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Heather Joyce said: “We’ve seen the spirits of the nation lifted over recent weeks and as the Paralympic Torch relay visits Cardiff, it brings with it another wave of excitement and elation.

“Cardiff is extremely proud to once again be a focal point for such a momentous occasion and I look forward to seeing people here turn out to show support and admiration for the Paralympians who will be competing. I know the city and its people will be warm, welcoming hosts to the 400 athletes basing themselves here during the Games.

“We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the success of local heroes and heroines over the years, with greats including Tanni Grey-Thompson, David Roberts and Nathan Stevens.

“Cardiff Council will ensure that the legacy of London 2012 lives on and we eagerly anticipate the next generation of sports stars, inspired by the success of Olympians and Paralympians alike.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “Cardiff has already played a vital role in London 2012 and I am thrilled we have this opportunity to welcome the Paraylmpic Torch to the city before it makes its special journey.

“Cardiff is honoured to be one of only three city’s to host this unique celebration and this all-day event will give people the opportunity to be part of the Paralympic Games. Have a go at the street-based disability sports on offer in the city or to witness the fantastic lantern procession, I am sure it will inspire and entertain the whole family.”

The free evening event presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, will feature a variety of entertainment including performances from Wales Millennium Centre’s own choirs Hard Côr and Only Kids Aloud, Scarabeus aerial performers, Tredegar Brass Band, a mass sing-along of Karl Jenkins’s In these Stones Horizons Sing. Charlotte Church and Only Men Aloud will also play a part in the celebrations.

The event will culminate with a spectacular lantern procession of over 200 people which will accompany eight Torchbearers as the Welsh Flame arrives in Roald Dahl Plass having been created at the summit of Snowden using a using a combination of teamwork and human endeavour.

At the same time Flames will be created at the summit of the highest peak of the other three home nations, Scafell Pike (England), Ben Nevis (Scotland) and Slieve Donard (Northern Ireland).

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Cardiff’s Jordan is going for gold!

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 20, 2012

A young athlete from Cardiff who was one of the recipients of a bursary from Sport.Cardiff will be representing Team GB in Paralympic Games in two weeks times.

In 2011 to coincide with the official One Year to Go countdown to the Paralympic Games,  Jordan Howe, who attends Rumney High and will be competing in the T35 100m and T35 200m in London, was one of four young athletes to be awarded with a bursary from Sport.Cardiff to support them on their route to potential Olympic or Paralympic success.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said, ”I am delighted that Jordan, one of the recipients of the Sport.Cardiff bursaries, is going to be representing Team GB at the Paralympic Games.

“It is a massive achievement and I wish Jordan the very best of luck for what I am sure will be the experience of a lifetime and I am very glad we were able to help in some way.

“I am sure everyone in Cardiff will be watching with bated breath as Jordan takes part in his track events.”

Jordan, who has cerebral palsy, is a member of the Disability Sport Wales Academy and is currently ranked number one in Wales in his classification group will make his debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Jordan said: “I have just finished at Rumney High school so the money has helped enormously for my expenses. I’m very proud to be selected for the Paralympics and would like to thank everyone for their support and to Cardiff Council for the generous bursary received.”

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Cardiff to light up the skies in Paralympic celebration

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 17, 2012

Cardiff is hosting one of three special Flame Festivals held as part of the London 2012 Paralympic Torch Relay.

The Flame Festival, presented by BT, Lloyds TSB and Sainsbury’s, will take place in Cardiff Bay on Bank Holiday Monday 27 August.

The Leader of the Council, Cllr Heather Joyce said: “We’ve seen the spirits of the nation lifted over recent weeks and as the Paralympic Torch relay visits Cardiff, it brings with it another wave of excitement and elation.

“Cardiff is extremely proud to once again be a focal point for such a momentous occasion and I look forward to seeing people here turn out to show support and admiration for the Paralympians who will be competing. I know the city and its people will be warm, welcoming hosts to the 400 athletes basing themselves here during the Games.

“We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the success of local heroes and heroines over the years, with greats including Tanni Grey-Thompson (pictured), David Roberts and Nathan Stevens.

“Cardiff Council will ensure that the legacy of London 2012 lives on and we eagerly anticipate the next generation of sports stars, inspired by the success of Olympians and Paralympians alike.”

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “Cardiff has already played a vital role in London 2012 and I am thrilled we have this opportunity to welcome the Paralympic Torch to the city before it makes its special journey.

“Cardiff is honoured to be one of only three city’s to host this unique celebration and this all-day event will give people the opportunity to be part of the Paralympic Games. Have a go at the street-based disability sports on offer in the city or to witness the fantastic lantern procession, I am sure it will inspire and entertain the whole family.”

The event is also part of the London 2012 Festival, the spectacular 12-week UK-wide celebration running from 21 June until 9 September 2012, bringing together leading artists from across the world with the very best from the UK.

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