HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : Paralympians continue “wonderful performance” [September 2008]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 15 September 2008.

Gordon Brown has congratulated the British Paralympic team for a string of “amazing successes” at the Games in Beijing.

In a weekend statement from Downing Street, the PM said the whole country was proud of the team and that he looked forward to meeting team members at an Olympic reception scheduled to take place at Number 10 later in the autumn.

The PM said:

“I’d like to congratulate the British Paralympic team for their wonderful performance. As with the Olympics last month, we’ve seen amazing successes in cycling, swimming and rowing as well as many other sports. We have an incredible total of 81 medals so far, 37 of these gold, and stand second in the medal table.

“I know the whole country is proud of our Paralympians and I hope the team continues to see great results over the remaining few days of the Games. I look forward congratulating them in person when I host a reception for the Paralympic team in the Autumn.”

Success on the track and in the pool saw Team GB add to its tally over the weekend. Great Britain remains second in the table with a total of 90 medals, comprising 41 gold, 23 silver and 26 bronze.