Archery takes front stage at Opening Ceremony

Let’s first take a look back at history. In 1944, at the request of the British Government, Dr. Ludwig GUTTMANN opened a spinal injuries centre at the Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Great Britain, and promoted sports as part of rehabilitation.   On 29 July 1948, the day of the Opening Ceremony of the London 1948 Olympic Games, Dr. GUTTMANN organized the first competition for wheelchair athletes which he named the Stoke Mandeville Games. They involved 16 injured servicemen and women who took part in only one sport, archery! These games became the grounded idea for what became the Paralympic Games.   Last night, Professor Stephen HAWKING piloted the London 2012 Paralympic Games ceremony, urging people to create a brave new and better world, by challenging perceptions and stereotypes that limit the potential of the human body, mind and spirit. HAWKING said: “The Paralympic Games are about transforming our perception of the world. The Games provide an opportunity for athletes to excel, to stretch themselves and become outstanding in their field.” The Paralympics are about what you can do; not what you can’t.   During his opening speech, LOCOG Chairman Seb COE recalled the archery competition staged by Dr. GUTTMANN: “It was this vision that launched Ludwig GUTTMANN's great venture, it was this that launched the Paralympic Games. So we say welcome home to this great sporting competition. Welcome home to a movement that shows what sport is all about.” Greeting over 4,000 athletes from 164 teams, COE promised that the London 2012 Paralympic Games would see exceptional levels of public engagement. “Prepare to be inspired. Prepare to be dazzled. Prepare to be moved by the Paralympic Games of London 2012.”   Margaret MAUGHAN (photo copyright LOCOG) was not part of the 1948 archery competition. However, she did became the Britain's first ever Paralympic champion in the 1960 Rome Games.   She had a car accident in 1959 which left her unable to walk and she was treated at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. It was there, upon the advice of Sir Ludwig, that she took up archery before she went on to win Britain's first Paralympic gold medal in 1960 and then to compete at a further four Paralympics.   Last night, the 84-year-old archer fittingly concluded the Opening Ceremony when she lit the cauldron to mark the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games following an emotional and spectacular show.   Source: LOCOG, IPC, Inside the Games Edited by World Archery Communication