The Opening Ceremony for the London 2012 Paralympic Games promises to be “a spectacular celebration of inspirational spirit, which will challenge perceptions of human possibility.” Taking place on 29 August at 8.30pm and entitled Enlightenment, the event will showcase the excellence of deaf and disabled artists and will open with a fly past by Aerobility, a British charity that trains disabled people to become pilots.
Artistic directors Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings have outlined their plans for an electrifying celebration to mark the occasion when the Paralympic Games, which originated in the UK as the Stoke Mandeville Games in 1948, will come home. The London 2012 Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony will include an adult volunteer cast of more than 3,000, over 100 volunteer children and a professional cast of 100.
From 19 May, the London 2012 Ceremonies crew and cast will start rehearsals at a previously derelict site in the borough of Barking and Dagenham, which has been transformed into a fully operational rehearsal unit. The space will replicate the performance area in the Olympic Stadium and will see 110 days of rehearsals take place for all four ceremonies, continuing right up to the Games while the Stadium is prepared for Games-time use.
Jenny Sealey and Bradley Hemmings, artistic directors of the Paralympic Opening Ceremony.
All six of the Olympic Host Boroughs are playing their part in the Ceremonies. Three Mills Studios in Tower Hamlets continues to be the main base for the Ceremonies Team and students from schools in Barking and Dagenham, Greenwich, Hackney, Newham, Tower Hamlets and Waltham Forest are taking part as the under 16s Volunteer Performer Cast.
Lord Sebastian Coe, London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) Chair, said: “Jenny and Bradley’s spectacular Paralympic Opening Ceremony will be a great showcase of the skills and excellence of disabled artists. The London 2012 Ceremonies are truly global events, with billions of people across the world watching the four shows. This is undoubtedly a fantastic opportunity to showcase talents to the world and I’m delighted that the Host Boroughs have such an important involvement.” (courtesy: London Media Centre)
overnment must inquire into the financial dealings of the IPL. Undoubtedly, the latest episodes go much beyond cricket. Notwithstanding, falling TRP ratings, advertisers drifting to more ‘lucrative’ programmes topped by flagging spectators.
It is high time to stem the rot and set our cricket house in order. Rescuing the gentleman’s game from the grip of politicians, stars and businessmen, deceit and money will not only be an uphill task but a lot of sweat and tears. One should remember that a sport is by necessity a public activity, one that must be transparently conducted and be accountable. There is dire need of restoring cricket’s credibility and this task is better facilitated by the public and game fans in tandem with each other.
