Written/Compiled and Reported by Li Xinyi, MOOK Travel Life Network Scenic Spots Home
Just after the London Olympics ended, the London Paralympic Games are set to kick off on August 29 and close on September 9. British pop group Coldplay has confirmed they will perform at the closing ceremony. This year marks the first time London has hosted the Paralympics, but the UK is actually the birthplace of the Paralympic movement. During the Summer Olympics in London in 1948, Dr. Ludwig Guttmann of Stoke Mandeville Hospital organized a sports competition for 16 World War II veterans who had suffered spinal cord injuries. It was the world’s first sporting event for disabled athletes and inspired the future Paralympic Games. To commemorate the origin of the Paralympics, the mascot for the 2012 London Paralympics was named Mandeville.
The image on the left shows the 2012 London Paralympics mascot “Mandeville.” (Image provided by London 2012)
This year’s Paralympics will feature 20 sports across 20 venues, with 4,200 athletes from 165 countries and regions taking part — 250 more than participated in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Most of the 2012 London Paralympic events will take place in the Olympic Park and the River Zone, which are just 15 minutes apart. The River Zone has five venues located near the gates on both sides of the River Thames, including North Greenwich Arena 1, Greenwich Park, North Greenwich Arena 2, ExCeL London, and the Royal Artillery Barracks.
Most of the Paralympic competitions will be held in the Olympic Park and the River Zone. The photo shows North Greenwich Arena. (Image provided by London 2012)
Competitions outside these two zones include the Paralympic rowing events, which will take place at Eton Dorney, about 25 miles from London. Sailing events will be held in Weymouth and Portland, while the cycling road race will take place in central London. Eton Manor, located north of the Olympic Park, is a brand-new venue that will host Paralympic tennis. After the Games, this venue will be converted into a multi-purpose sports facility, including a hockey pitch, tennis courts, and a futsal field, providing new athletic amenities for athletes and local residents.
According to the Chinese Taipei Paralympic Sports Association, Taiwan will send 18 athletes — along with coaches and staff, a total of 41 people — who departed for the UK on August 22 to compete in seven sports: powerlifting, archery, judo, shooting, swimming, table tennis, and athletics.
● Read more: Top 10 International Travel Destinations for Taiwanese / 10 Must-Do Experiences in the UK When Visiting London for the Olympics
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