Paralympic Flag Flying over Kent
At County Hall today (14 October), there was a ceremony to raise the 'Host County of the Paralympic Games' flag which will fly until after the Paralympic Games.
Picture shows (left to right), back row: Paulina Stockell (KCC Chairman), Mike Hill OBE (KCC Cabinet Member for Customer & Communities) , Hugh Robertson MP (Minister for Sport & the Olympics). Front row: Kelsie Gibson (GB Adaptive Rower), Steve Brown (GB Wheelchair Rugby team).
Kent is privileged to be able to fly the flag as it will be hosting the Paralympic Road Cycling in 2012, when there will be four days of Paralympic Road Racing and Time Trials involving over 200 athletes from over 50 nations at Brands Hatch.
The Paralympic Road Cycling will be held at the end of the Paralympic Games, when Team GB will be vying for a high position in the overall medals table, so the level of national (and international) interest will be high.
The next opportunity to buy tickets for the event will be in December. Kent residents and particularly schools will be encouraged to apply for tickets.
Kent County Council is working hard to develop a Cycling legacy from the London 2012 Games for both able-bodied and disabled people, which includes opening Cyclopark, near Gravesend, in May 2012. This will be Europe's largest cycle park, covering 43 hectares of parkland with BMX, mountain bike and cycling tracks.
Hosting the Paralympic Road Cycling will demonstrate once again Kent's pedigree to accommodate global sports events (such as the World Cup Archery, the Tour de France and more recently, The Open) and benefiting tourism, trade and inward investment.
