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 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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Cardiff welcomes hundreds of athletes ahead of Paralympic Games

Posted by Now Cardiff on Aug 13, 2012

Cardiff is extending a warm welcome to almost 400 Paralympic athletes as they base themselves in the city ahead of the start of the Games.

Sports men and women from several countries including Australia, Liberia, Korea, China and the Oceanic Islands have all made their journey to Cardiff as the city becomes their selected pre-games training camp as they make the final, important preparations before the competitions commence on August 29.

Cabinet Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Huw Thomas said: “Cardiff is honoured to have been selected by several Paralympic teams as a pre-Games training camp and we extend a warm welcome to the hundreds of athletes who will be residing in the city as they make their final preparations ahead of the Games.

“Sport.Cardiff is committed to making disability sport accessible to everyone and provides an excellent provision for grass roots sports. An example of this is the annual Wheelchair Sports Spectacular which attracts over 500 attendees and promotes disability sports amongst adults and children.

"Having so many outstanding athletes here is sure to inspire Paralympians of the future.”

2012 Australian Paralympic Team Chef de Mission, Jason Hellwig said from the Australian Paralympic Committee said: “The staging camp is a first for us in the lead up to a Paralympic Games and has been a unique feature in our planning for the London Games campaign.

“The run up to the start of the Games is an extremely important time for every athlete taking part and we are confident we can make the best of these final preparations here in Cardiff.”

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