LIB DEMS PRESS MAYOR AND LONDON OLYMPIC 2012 BID ON DISABLED ACCESS & PARTICIPATION

2.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 13th Oct 2004

Liberal Democrat London Assembly Spokesperson for Sport and Culture, Dee Doocey, today asked for assurances from the Mayor and the London Olympics 2012 bid team that all plans for the games will be fully accessible to all disabled people.

During the questioning at City Hall, Mrs Doocey pressed the Mayor and the Olympic Team into definitive reassurances that transport and stadium access as well as celebrations, schools programmes and festivals to mark the games, would be easy for wheelchair users and disabled participants.

Dee Doocey said:-

"It is vital for both the bid and those wanting to watch the greatest sporting event in the world that people with disabilities will be able to watch and attend this spectacular occasion. The Olympics Team must put detailed action in place to ensure that if London were to win these games, it would be the most disabled friendly event ever to have been staged on the planet.

"The UK has played a special role in the development of paralympic sport. The Beijing Games, in 2008, aims to raise the profile of the Paralympics. London should build on this by establishing strong links with the wider disability community, especially in the artistic elements of the games including official ceremonies and the wider cultural activities surrounding the celebration."

ENDS

Notes to editor

Dee Doocey quizzed the Mayor and the London Olympic 2012 bid on Wednesday 13th October 2004 at 10am at City Hall.