Timeout 2012: The most inspiring Paralympic Games London 2012

29th August – 9th September 2012

Dear family and friends,

Did you know that England was the birthplace for the Paralympic Games? In 1948, Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised a sports competition for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries in Stoke Mandeville. Four years later, competitors from the Netherlands joined the Games and an international movement was born. In London 2012, 4’200 athletes competed in 20 different sports – the biggest Paralympic Games ever.

Again I took over the role of a Dignitary Assistant at the Paralympics. Ralph and I came back from our trip from Scotland and the regional coordinator for Europe asked me if I could take over Germany. I was thrilled because this meant to get really involved. The German Embassy arranged the programme for the arriving delegation. I first had to meet up with the Liaison Officer from the Embassy and the drivers from security as the Federal Minister from the Department of the Interior, Dr. Hans-Peter Friedrich, was due to arrive with his entourage on the day of the Opening Ceremony. During the Games I was assigned to personally accompany the Deputy Assistant, Mr. Ernst August Denneborg, his wife and his assistant. They were lovely people. They aimed to stay for the whole duration of the Games although Dr. Friedrich left after a few days. Later on the State Secretary and his entourage came for a visit. I was responsible for booking transport for Mr. Denneborg, attuning it to the overall programme and accompanying them to the respective venues.

I first accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Denneborg from their hotel to the Stadium for the Opening Ceremony. I had the opportunity to attend this show with great pride. The theme of the show was “Enlightenment” and took the spectators on Mirandas journey of discovery.

During the Paralympic Games I was able to travel to different venues and also watch some sports such as Table Tennis, Athletics, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball, Road Cycling and Equestrian. I always came across an overwhelming atmosphere. Everybody was enjoying the Games. And you would not guess it, but the weather has been brilliant for most of the days.

Classification is a unique element of Paralympic sports, intended to ensure fair competition. As each sport at the Paralympic Games requires different skills and competencies, the impact of impairment on the performance of the athletes varies. Each sport has its own unique classification rules. For example Table Tennis: This was one of the largest sports on the Paralympic programme. The usual Table Tennis rules are in effect with slight modifications for wheelchair athletes. Athletes from different disability groups can take part. The athletes receive a classification between 1 – 11. Class 1 – 5 are for those in wheelchairs and class 6 – 10 for those who have disabilities that allow them to play standing. Within those groups the higher classification means the more function the athlete has. Class 11 is defined for players with an intellectual disability.

The London 2012 Paralympic Games came to an end at the sold-out Closing Ceremony, the “Festival of the Flames” on Sunday. It celebrated the extraordinary journey that began seven years ago, when London was announced as the host city for the Olympic and Paralympic Games. It was a spectacular ceremony led by the UK band Coldplay. There also performed pop star Rihanna, rapper Jay-Z and a cast of around 1,200 performers.

The 4’200 athletes were seated around the main area. They were putted at the heart of the action. It was said, that these were the greatest Paralympic Games ever. There were spectacular moments, dazzling fireworks, great live music and tributes to the armed forces, the Games Maker volunteers and the athletes. Lord Coe, the chairman of the organising committee, said: “The Paralympians have lifted the cloud of limitation”.

The Games are over now; it has been an extraordinary experience. I will never forget the feeling of being part of the biggest sports event of the world. I will never forget my role as a Dignitary Assistant, contributing a small share in the success of the Games. Ness and Miggy which I first met as complete strangers and then became friends will always stay in my heart. I will always remember Ness’ and Miggy’s family and friends and all these wonderful people I met. I will never forget the diversity of London's population and the people in the streets spontaneously talking to me and sharing their experiences. The cheerful crowd in the Stadium (80’000 people) will stay in my mind as well as the floating crowd through Westfield and the Olympic Park. I will always remember the Paralympic Values: courage, determination, inspiration, equality.

Did you know that the Olympic Park will be renamed into Queen Elisabeth Olympic Park? After transformation the north park will reopen in July 2013 and the south park in spring 2014 (http://noordinarypark.co.uk/).