Someone has designed  a set of pictograms  for the Olympic Games that are being launched today to mark 1000 days until the opening ceremony of the Paralympic Games. The pictograms, which are visual representations of each of the 20 Paralympic sports and disciplines, will have a wayfinding role during the Games, and also help transform London from an Olympic to a Paralympic city.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of the London 2012 Organising Committee, says, ‘In 1000 days’ time we will be welcoming the Paralympic Games home and we will deliver a spectacular showcase for Paralympic sport. This is a golden opportunity to raise awareness of Paralympic sport, challenge stereotypes about disability and secure a legacy which will have every disabled child getting greater access to sport.’

Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, says, ‘This is a major milestone in the history of the Paralympic movement as London prepares to stage the best ever Paralympics in 2012.’

Interesting quote from Boris Johnson in his keynote Marketing Society speech yesterday: 

"Hosting the London 2012 Games will bring endless opportunities to position the capital for the next 20 years and I intend to take full advantage of them. I want visitors to our capital to not only return home telling all their friends about our wonderful capital, but also to start planning their next trip to the best city in the world."

I look forward to meeting him when I visit in 2010 and find out what his plans are for disabled visitors to 2012.

http://www.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp/releaseid=24301

Just found out that from December 2009, there will be high speed trains to Kent from central London. From the newly developed St Pancras station in fact. With the longest champagne bar in Europe, that's a great start to your journey for those of your planning to take in more than the games during your 2012 visit.

Folks wishing to take in Canterbury Cathedral can get there in less than one hour and I understand that all stations and trains areaccessible to wheelchair users.

For more information please see  SouthEastern railways site

http://www.southeasternrailway.co.uk/

Run up to 2012

What's really interesting for me about these games is that for the first time in the history of the Olympics, the host city London has a significant local population that is representative of all the participating nations.

So on my first visit in advance of 2012, i am hoping to hook up with some of these communities to find out first hand, how visitors can get the most out of their visit by taking advantage of their expert local knowledge about anything, from transport, cheap places to eat, best places to stay and a million other things.

So stay posted folks!