HISTORIC PRESS RELEASE : “Whole country behind Paralympic team” – Prime Minister Gordon Brown [September 2008]

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 5 September 2008.

On Saturday, over 200 athletes across 18 sports will begin competing in Britain’s Paralympic squad.

Continuing our success in the Olympics, Britain’s Paralympic team is one of the biggest of all time and hopes to increase its impressive medal haul of four years ago.

The PM has sent a message of good luck to all the British competitors wishing “our Paralympic athletes every success”.

The PM said:

“The Paralympics is a great sporting event – the second largest in the world after the Olympics – and I know our athletes will do us proud. We have a fantastic record of achievement in the Paralympics and I’m sure this year will be no exception. I wish our Paralympic athletes every success and I know the whole country will be right behind them.”

The team includes many Paralympic medalists returning to defend their titles as well as a record number of teenagers making their debut.