Paralympics 'will inspire a generation'
The Paralympics will "inspire a whole generation" and change people's views about disability, David Cameron has claimed.
The Prime Minister said Britain should be "incredibly proud" about hosting the Games - which will begin tonight with an opening ceremony at the Olympic stadium.
"We can be very proud that more Paralympians are taking part in more sports, in more stadia, watched by more people, than at any time in the past," he said.
"I think the Paralympics will really demonstrate to people some things about disability, some things about what these incredible people can achieve, that will change their views and inspire a whole generation of new people."
Speaking at the official pre-ceremony reception at the Guildhall earlier, Nick Clegg said the UK was on the “brink of making history”.
“We want to go further, faster in London 2012: hitting fast forward to help deliver a big and lasting elevation of disability sport," he said.
"If 1948 was the birth of the Paralympic movement, let 2012 be a milestone in its journey.”
Writing for PoliticsHome today, former Liberal Democrat leader Sir Menzies Campbell said: "Make no mistake, those competing are not the disabled who happened to be athletes, these are athletes who happen to be disabled."