London is perfect for these championships, we’re a beacon of equality
PARA ATHLETICS is coming home. In just over three weeks, our great city will again be the stage for the biggest global sporting event of the year.
No city has hosted the IPC World Para Athletics Championships and the IAAF World Athletics Championships in the same summer. But then again, when it comes to sport, London always breaks the mould.
The World Para Athletics Championships is first and it’s a great opportunity for Londoners to see the best athletes in our capital city.
The UK is the birthplace of Paralympic sport and London 2012 showed not only the incredible sporting ability of para athletes, but the level of support in the capital and right across the country. It captured the imagination of the sporting public and attracted record crowds.
I am proud we will showcase
London to the world, demonstrating our ability to host the globe’s best events and celebrating all that London stands for — a united city that stands together as a true beacon of equality.
Our inspirational British Paralympians achieved a record medal haul in Rio de Janeiro and, with stars such as Richard Whitehead, Hannah Cockroft and Jonnie Peacock back on the world stage in London, I’m banking on another memorable para athletics event in our city.
I am determined to make London the sporting capital of the world but a key part of bringing major events here is to ensure they are made available for all Londoners to see.
That is why I helped secure the London schools offer, providing tickets to schoolchildren at just £3 and offering them and teachers free travel on the Transport for London network to get to the championships.
Around 90,000 children from 1,000 schools in London will get to see superstars up close, thereby creating new lifelong memories.
London’s diversity is one of its greatest assets. I want the differences between people and communities in London to be celebrated, rather than merely tolerated.
Sport has an important role to play and is a powerful tool, strengthening social ties and networks.
I am determined that all Londoners benefit from our city’s status as a global leader in hosting world-class sport. For me, that means a wider focus than just hosting the main events themselves — it should also have community benefits for all.
I want the biggest global sporting event of 2017 to inspire generations of Londoners to become sporting stars and to encourage them to live healthier, more active lives through the power of elite sport.
That is why I recently invested £400,000 to encourage more Londoners to take part in athletics, with half of the funding available for disability-focused athletics in celebration of these championships.
I know Londoners will embrace the IPC World Para Athletics as part of a tantalising summer of sport in the greatest city in the world. If you haven’t got any already, I would urge you to get your tickets.