Stars of the London 2012 Paralympic Games to return to London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 30

Fresh from their victories at the IPC Athletics European Championships in Swansea, Jonnie Peacock, Aled Davies and Stef Reid are among the athletes who will be helping to celebrate National Paralympic Day at London’s Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park on August 30.

Now in its second year, National Paralympic Day was first held last September to celebrate one year since the London 2012 Paralympic Games. In 2014 the event will continue to relive the spirit of the Games through the best of disability sports and arts.

Athletes will be at the Park on Saturday, signing autographs and meeting fans as part of the free family festivities.

“I think what blew everyone away at London 2012 was the overwhelming wave of support for the Paralympics and events like this show that the British public still have an appetite for Paralympic sport and are keen to come out and get involved,” commented Peacock.

“It’s nearly two years to the day since I won gold at London 2012 and with Rio on the horizon National Paralympic Day is the perfect opportunity for sports fans to come out and show that continued support, by getting tickets to watch the sporting competition and coming down to meet the athletes who ll be joining me on the day.”

‘Meet the Athletes’ sessions are set to take place at the ParalympicsGB hub in the Park. Paralympic athletes will be signing autographs and meeting fans in 30 minute slots which start at 12:30 and take place every hour after that, with the final session starting at 17:30.

Visitors can find out which other athletes will be taking part in these sessions on the day, or by following the ParalympicsGB Twitter account for updates.

As well as meeting athletics stars, fans will also have the chance to watch international swimming, wheelchair basketball, goalball and boccia competitions and take part in free community sports sessions. Tickets for the international sports competitions can be bought via paralympics.org.uk/npd2014.

“National Paralympic Day is a brilliant way for people to get involved before Rio and it gives them a chance to show their support for Paralympic sport and the athletes who train day in and day out to give performances that we can all be proud of,” said Davies.

“I’m looking forward to cheering on the GB athletes when they compete that day and hopefully the crowd will join me in making loads of noise to spur them on.”

He added: “It’s an honour to represent your country but it would mean nothing without the support of the British public who continue to back us. I can’t wait to meet some of the people who are heading along to Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park that day and share the celebrations with them.”

Other cities across Great Britain – Birmingham, Liverpool and Glasgow - will also be hosting celebrations for National Paralympic Day.

See paralympics.org.uk/npd2014 for more

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