2012 Summer Paralympics

{{Main|Bids for the 2012 Summer Olympics}}

As part of a formal agreement between the International Paralympic Committee and the International Olympic Committee established in 2001, the winner of the bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics was also to host the 2012 Summer Paralympics.{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012: London to host 'first truly global Games'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/18143145|work=BBC Sport|access-date=1 August 2012}} At the 117th IOC Session in Singapore, the rights to host the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics were awarded to London.{{cite news |url= http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/front_page/4655555.stm |work =BBC News |title=London beats Paris to 2012 Games |date=6 July 2005}}{{Cite news |url= https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2005/sep/02/london.Olympics2012 |title=The party that never was: capital marks the games at last—Eight weeks after Olympic celebrations were cut short by bombings, London puts on a low-key spectacle to show it means business |work= The Guardian |date=6 July 2005 |access-date=22 August 2008 |first=Andrew |last=Culf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002091306/http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2005/sep/02/london.Olympics2012 |archive-date=2 October 2008 }}

{{Main|2012 Summer Olympic development}}

As with the Olympics, the 2012 Summer Paralympics were overseen by LOCOG and the Olympic Delivery Authority (ODA). LOCOG was responsible for overseeing the staging of the games, while the ODA dealt with infrastructure and venues.{{Citation |work=London 2012|year=2005|title=LOCOG Formally Established|url=http://www.olympic.org/content/news/media-resources/manual-news/1999-2009/2005/10/07/london-2012-locog-formally-established/|access-date=23 April 2014}}{{Citation|author=Olympic Delivery Authority|author-link=Olympic Delivery Authority |year=2007 |title=Annual Report and Accounts 2006–2007|publisher=Olympic Delivery Authority|publication-place= London|page=10|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/250791/0741.pdf|access-date=23 April 2014}}

The Government Olympic Executive (GOE) within the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) was the lead Government body for co-ordinating the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympics. The GOE reported through the DCMS Permanent Secretary to the Minister for Sports and the Olympics Hugh Robertson. It focused on oversight of the Games, cross-programme management and the London 2012 Olympic Legacy.{{Citation|author=Government Olympic Executive|author-link=Government Olympic Executive|year=2011|title=London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Annual Report February 2011|publisher=Department for Culture, Media and Sport|publication-place= London|page=2|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/77633/DCMS_GOE_annual_report_february_2011.pdf|access-date=23 April 2014}}

England's role in the history of the Paralympics was emphasised as part of the Games: an event known as the Stoke Mandeville Games were hosted by the village of Stoke Mandeville—site of the National Spinal Injuries Centre—to coincide with the opening of the 1948 Summer Olympics in London. Contested between British veterans of the Second World War, it was the first organised sporting event for athletes with disabilities, and served as a precursor to the modern Paralympic Games.{{cite news |date=6 July 2004 |title=History of the Paralympics |work=BBC Sport |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/3628745.stm |access-date=1 August 2012}}

File:ParalympicCyclingatBrandsHatch.jpg circuit hosted road cycling during the Paralympics.]]

{{Further|Venues of the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics}}

The 2012 Summer Paralympics used many of the same venues as the 2012 Summer Olympics, along with two exclusive venues ( Eton Manor for wheelchair tennis and Brands Hatch circuit for road cycling. All the London's purpose-built Olympic venues and facilities, including the Olympic Village, were designed and planned to be accessible as possible so they could easily accommodate the Paralympics. Some older venues also contained additional accessible seating areas during the Paralympics.{{cite news|title=London 2012: let the Paralympics preparations begin|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/13/london-2012-paralympic-preparations-begin| work = The Guardian |access-date=18 August 2012|first=Alexandra|last=Topping|date=13 August 2012}}{{cite news|last=Gibson|first=Owen|title=Paralympics reignite the Olympic buzz but with added twists|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/30/london-paralympics-olympics-differences-similiarities| work = The Guardian |access-date=31 August 2012|location=London|date=30 August 2012}}

{{See also|2012 Summer Olympics#Public transport}}

Transport for London (TfL) operated the Paralympic Route Network (a downsized version of the Olympic Route Network operated during the Summer Olympics) to facilitate road traffic between venues and facilities. The network provided {{convert|8.7|mi|abbr=off}} of lanes specifically reserved for Paralympic athletes and officials.{{cite web|title=London sets out road plans for Paralympics|url=http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/19021/London+sets+out+road+plans+for+Paralympics.html|publisher=Logistics Manager|access-date=15 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828224145/http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/19021/London+sets+out+road+plans+for+Paralympics.html|archive-date=28 August 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} TfL continued to operate its Get Ahead of the Games website during the Paralympics, which provided updates and advice for commuters during the Games.{{cite news |title=The Olympic commute... Get ahead of the Games by bike |url= https://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/the-olympic-commute-get-ahead-of-the-games-by-bike-7978591.html | work = London Evening Standard |date=26 July 2012 |author=Gardner, Jasmine |access-date=14 August 2012}} Prior to the Games, concerns were raised by TfL commissioner Peter Hendy that London's transportation system might not be able to handle the Paralympics adequately. He feared that the end of the school summer holiday (which fell during the Games) would result in increased traffic, and that commuters might not heed traffic warnings or change their travel behaviour as they had during the Olympics.{{cite news|title=Transport fears as Paralympic ticket sales surge|url=https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2012/aug/12/paralympic-games-london-transport-fears| work = The Guardian|access-date=13 August 2012|location=London|first1=Gwyn|last1=Topham|first2=Alexandra|last2=Topping|date=12 August 2012}}

Sevenoaks railway station was designated as the preferred station for spectators travelling to watch the cycling at Brands Hatch. Organisers chose Sevenoaks over the closer Swanley railway station because of its "existing step-free access and excellent transport links", and because Swanley did not yet have a wheelchair lift. Whilst organisers did not believe that Swanley would be able to have wheelchair lifts installed by the start of the Paralympics, the station finished their installation by early August 2012.{{cite news|title=New station lifts open in time for Paralympics|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-19258777|work=BBC News|access-date=15 August 2012|date=14 August 2012}}

File:London 2012 countdown clock (1).jpg, counting down to the opening ceremony of the 2012 Summer Paralympics]]

The formal handover occurred during the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, when Mayor of London Boris Johnson received the Paralympic Flag from Mayor of Beijing Guo Jinlong. This was followed by a cultural presentation by Britain, which was a which was a sequel to the presentation during the Antwerp Ceremony during the Olympics closing ceremonies. It featured urban dance group ZooNation, the Royal Ballet, and Candoco, a physically integrated dance group, all dressed as London commuters and waiting for a bus by a zebra crossing. A double-decker bus drove around the stadium, guided by Ade Adepitan, to music composed by Philip Sheppard. The top of the bus was open and folded down to show a privet hedge featuring London landmarks such as Tower Bridge, The Gherkin and the London Eye. Cherisse Osei, drummer for Mika, and Sam Hegedus then performed, before the top of the bus folded up into its original form,sporting multi-coloured Paralympic livery.{{cite web |url=http://www.london2012.com/documents/press-kits/paralympic-handover-media-guide.pdf |title=Media guide to the London 2012 Paralympic Games Handover segment, Closing Ceremony, Beijing 2008 Games. |publisher=London 2012 |date=17 June 2008 |access-date=20 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608023725/http://www.london2012.com/documents/press-kits/paralympic-handover-media-guide.pdf |archive-date=8 June 2011 |df=dmy-all }} Both the Paralympic and Olympic flags were formally raised outside of London's City Hall on 26 September 2008. British Paralympians Helene Raynsford and Chris Holmes raised the Paralympic flag.{{cite web |url=http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/videos/flag-raising.jsp |title=Mayor of London — Video clips: Olympic and Paralympic flags raised at City Hall |publisher=Legacy.london.gov.uk |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=22 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113110735/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/mayor/videos/flag-raising.jsp |archive-date=13 January 2012 |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://legacy.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=18998 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113113104/http://legacy.london.gov.uk/view_press_release.jsp?releaseid=18998 |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 January 2012 |title=1948 Olympians and 2012 hopefuls join Beijing heroes as Olympic and Paralympic flags raised at City Hall |publisher=Legacy.london.gov.uk |date=26 September 2008 |access-date=22 September 2011 }}

On 8 September 2011 Trafalgar Square staged International Paralympic Day, hosted by Rick Edwards, Ade Adepitan and Iwan Thomas, to coincide with a visit to London by representatives of the IPC. The event featured showcases and demonstrations of the 20 sports that would feature during the Games, with some sessions also made inclusive to people with hearing disabilities. It also included appearances by Paralympic athletes Oscar Pistorius, Ellie Simmonds and Sascha Kindred, and the unveiling of a bronze statue of Pistorius by Ben Dearnley. British Prime Minister David Cameron and London's mayor Boris Johnson also appeared.{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/london-2012-host-international-paralympic-day-september-2011|title=London 2012 to Host International Paralympic Day in September 2011|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=22 April 2014}}{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14819063 | work=BBC News | title=London 2012: David Cameron visits Paralympic Day | date=8 September 2011}}

Two days later on 10 September, supermarket chain Sainsbury's and Channel 4 presented Sainsbury's Super Saturday, a family event at Clapham Common. The event featured showcases of Paralympic sports, and a concert featuring pop music acts including Nicola Roberts, Olly Murs, The Wanted, Will Young, Pixie Lott, Dappy, Sugababes, The Saturdays, Chipmunk and Taio Cruz.{{cite web|url=https://j-sainsbury.co.uk/media/events/2011/20110910-sainsburys-super-saturday/|title=Sainsbury's Super Saturday|publisher=J Sainsbury plc|access-date=22 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330094443/http://j-sainsbury.co.uk/media/events/2011/20110910-sainsburys-super-saturday/|archive-date=30 March 2014|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/paralympics/summer-paralympics/2012/109672-sainsburys-super-saturday-is-a-hit-as-pop-stars-help-promote-london-2012-paralympics|title=Sainsbury's Super Saturday is a hit as pop stars help promote London 2012 Paralympics|publisher=Inside the Games|author= Tom Degun|date=10 September 2011 |access-date=22 April 2014}}

Channel 4 the new local broadcaster of the 2012 Summer Paralympics in the United Kingdom—held a multi-platform advertising campaign to promote its coverage. The broadcaster sought to change the public perception of the Paralympics, encouraging viewers to see them as an "event in its own right", rather than as an afterthought to the Olympics. The campaign included television adverts, online content, and billboard advertising, some of which carrying the infamous slogan "Thanks for the warm-up".{{cite news|title=After the 2012 London Olympics, Will Sponsors Embrace the Paralympics?|url=https://olympics.time.com/2012/09/07/after-london-2012-will-sponsors-and-media-finally-embrace-the-paralympics/|magazine=Time|access-date=5 January 2014|date=7 September 2012}}

As part of the campaign, Channel 4 produced a two-minute-long trailer for its coverage entitled Meet the Superhumans, which was directed by Tom Tagholm with input from Deborah Poulton, 2012 Paralympic Project Leader and Alison Walsh, Editorial Manager of Disability, both at Channel 4. The trailer, set to Public Enemy's song "Harder Than You Think", focused on the competitive and "superhuman" aspects of Paralympic sport, while acknowledging the personal events and struggles that reflected every athlete's participation in the Games. Meet the Superhumans premiered on 17 July 2012, airing simultaneously on 78 different commercial television channels in the UK (which included rival commercial channels ITV and Sky1).{{cite web|title=Ad of the Day: Paralympic Games Forget the Olympics. This is the summer's most stunning sports commercial|url=http://www.adweek.com/news/advertising-branding/ad-day-paralympic-games-142183| work =Adweek|date=25 July 2012 |access-date=11 August 2012}}{{cite news|title=Paralympics: Channel 4's superhuman effort|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/paralympics-channel-4s-superhuman-effort-7956894.html|work=The Independent|access-date=11 August 2012|location=London|first=Simon|last=Usborne|date=19 July 2012|archive-date=22 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120822101635/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/paralympics-channel-4s-superhuman-effort-7956894.html|url-status=dead}}

The advert was met with critical acclaim: Adweek{{'s}} Tim Nudd declared it "the summer's most stunning sports commercial", while Simon Usborne of The Independent felt it was "an act of branding genius" and "a clear bid to bring the Paralympics from the sporting wings to centre stage." The advert was seen by an estimated audience of 10 million viewers; Channel 4's marketing and

communications chief Dan Brooke estimated that reaction to the advert through social media was double that of the première of the BBC's trailer for its Olympics coverage.

Meet the Superhumans won a Golden Lion award at the Cannes Lions Festival in June 2013, losing the overall award to the railway safety PSA Dumb Ways to Die. Sir John Hegarty, the jury president said of it: "When you've got some really outstanding work it is tragic in some ways it can't get a bigger award, but there can only be one grand prix", while jury member Carlo Cavallone added "[Meet the Superhumans] is an amazing campaign, one of the golds that went through [the judging process] immediately ... Everyone felt it had the highest level of craft. It puts an issue that was really important before London 2012 to raise awareness of the Paralympics [and] they were hyper successful … Dumb Ways to Die was a tough contender."{{cite news|title=Cannes Lions: Dumb Ways to Die scoops top award|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jun/22/cannes-lions-advertising-awards|work = The Guardian |date=22 June 2013|access-date=23 June 2013|location=London|first=Mark|last=Sweney}}

{{see also|2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics gold post boxes}}

File:2012 Paralympics Royal Mail gold postbox scheme launch box, Lower Road, Stoke Mandeville Hospital (1).jpg in Stoke Mandeville was painted gold in honour of the village's role in the history of the Paralympic movement.]]

In August 2009, Royal Mail unveiled a series of 30 stamps (reflecting the 30th Olympiad) in honour of the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, released in batches of ten between 2009 and July 2011. Each stamp featured an Olympic or Paralympic sport and the London 2012 logo.{{cite web |url=http://www.royalmailgroup.com/royal-mail-launches-major-series-olympic-stamps-london-2012 |title=Royal Mail launches major series of Olympic Stamps for London 2012 |publisher=Royal Mail Group |date=24 August 2009 |access-date=22 September 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120828224145/http://www.royalmailgroup.com/royal-mail-launches-major-series-olympic-stamps-london-2012 |archive-date=28 August 2012 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}{{cite web|url=http://www.insidethegames.biz/olympics/summer-olympics/2012/13670-royal-mail-releases-final-set-of-2012-olympic-stamps |title=Royal Mail releases final set of 2012 Olympic stamps | London 2012 |publisher=insidethegames.biz |date=22 July 2011 |access-date=22 September 2011}}{{cite news| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-14244890 | work=BBC News | title=Year-to-go Olympic stamps unveiled by Royal Mail | date=22 July 2011}}

As it had done during the Olympics, Royal Mail honoured Britain's Paralympic gold medallists by painting a post box gold in each of their home towns (along with an additional post box outside the National Spinal Injuries Centre in Stoke Mandeville, in honour of its role in the Games' history),{{cite news|title=Gold Post Boxes Launched For ParalympicsGB Gold Medal Winners|url=http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/community/gold-post-boxes-launched-for-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-winners-1-4876138|access-date=10 September 2012|newspaper=Pocklington Post|date=29 August 2012|archive-date=26 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826115238/http://www.pocklingtonpost.co.uk/community/gold-post-boxes-launched-for-paralympicsgb-gold-medal-winners-1-4876138|url-status=dead}} and featured them on commemorative stamps released throughout the Games. Royal Mail originally planned only to release a series of six stamps with group portraits of Britain's medallists; however, the decision was met with backlash from critics, who argued that the organisation was discriminating against Paralympians by not granting them the same individual recognition as their Olympian counterparts. Olympic shadow minister Tessa Jowell was also critical of Royal Mail's plan, saying that the stamps were a symbolic aspect of Britain's celebration of the Olympics and that "it would be a shame if this important symbol was not offered to our Paralympian heroes as well."

Royal Mail initially defended its decision, arguing that it would have been "logistically and practically impossible" to issue individual stamps for each gold medallist, since it expected the British team to meet or exceed its performance at Beijing of 42 gold medals.{{cite news|title=Royal Mail defends decision to deny Paralympic gold medallists own stamps|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/08/royal-mail-defends-paralympic-stamps| work = The Guardian|access-date=12 August 2012|location=London|first=Matthew|last=Taylor|date=8 August 2012}} As a result of the criticism, Royal Mail announced on 15 August 2012 that it would release individual stamps for each British gold medallist during the Paralympics.{{cite news|title=Royal Mail will issue stamp for every UK Paralympic gold medal winners|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/15/royal-mail-pressure-paralympics-stamps| work = The Guardian |access-date=16 August 2012|location=London|first=Alexandra|last=Topping|date=15 August 2012}}

{{main|London Prepares series}}

Several Paralympics-specific events were held during the London Prepares series of test events for the Olympic and Paralympic Games; these included the London International Goalball Tournament, and the London Disability Grand Prix—which was also the first Paralympic event to be held at London's Olympic Stadium.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/9397066.stm | work=BBC News | title=London 2012 test events unveiled | date=24 February 2011}}{{cite news|title=GB goalball hopeful on Paralympic place after test event|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/16033528|work=BBC Sport|access-date=11 August 2012}}

{{see also|2012 Summer Paralympics torch relay}}

File:London 2012 Paralympic Games torch relay.jpg]]

The Paralympic torch relay began on 22 August, when groups of integrated scouts kindled four Paralympic flames on the highest peaks of each Home Nation: Scafell Pike in England, Ben Nevis in Scotland, Slieve Donard in Northern Ireland, and Snowdon in Wales. On 24 August the four flames were used to light ceremonial cauldrons in London, Edinburgh, Belfast and Cardiff during special "Flame Festival" events; smaller "Flame Celebration" events were also held in various communities over the bank holiday weekend.{{cite news|title=Mountain cauldrons will spark Paralympic torch relay|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/mountain-cauldrons-will-spark-paralympic-torch-relay-8050170.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/mountain-cauldrons-will-spark-paralympic-torch-relay-8050170.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|work= The Independent|access-date=19 August 2012|location=London|first=Jerome|last=Taylor|date=15 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012: flames lit across Britain at the start of Paralympic torch relay celebrations|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9492379/Paralympics-2012-flames-lit-across-Britain-at-the-start-of-Paralympic-torch-relay-celebrations.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9492379/Paralympics-2012-flames-lit-across-Britain-at-the-start-of-Paralympic-torch-relay-celebrations.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| work = The Daily Telegraph|access-date=23 August 2012|location=London|first=Tim|last=Williams|date=22 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}

On 28 August the four flames were united during a ceremony at Stoke Mandeville Stadium.{{cite news|title=Four Paralympic flames united at Stoke Mandeville|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9504731/Four-Paralympic-flames-united-at-Stoke-Mandeville.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9504731/Four-Paralympic-flames-united-at-Stoke-Mandeville.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work = The Daily Telegraph |access-date=29 August 2012|location=London|first=Victoria|last=Ward|date=28 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} The flame then travelled a {{convert|92|mi|adj=on|abbr=off}} route to Olympic Stadium in a 24-hour relay, with 580 torchbearers working in teams of five.{{cite news|title=London 2012: Scouts to spark Paralympic flame|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19265010|work=BBC News|access-date=16 August 2012|date=15 August 2012}} After a two-hour weather delay, a backup flame was taken straight to the stadium as a contingency, and the relay route was modified.{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012: Backup torch is lit after delays cause fears that flame won't make opening ceremony on time|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9507005/Paralympics-2012-Backup-torch-is-lit-after-delays-cause-fears-that-flame-wont-make-opening-ceremony-on-time.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9507005/Paralympics-2012-Backup-torch-is-lit-after-delays-cause-fears-that-flame-wont-make-opening-ceremony-on-time.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| work = The Daily Telegraph |access-date=30 August 2012|location=London|date=29 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} However, as the opening ceremony's parade of nations took longer than expected, the flame was able to reach the external area of Olympic Stadium in time.

2.7 million tickets were offered in total, including event-specific tickets and those granting access solely to the Olympic Park, along with multi-event passes offered for ExCeL London and Olympic Park that were intended to allow spectators to discover a variety of Paralympic events. Unlike previous Paralympics, tickets were in extremely high demand, and the ticket allocation was increased from the originally planned 2.5 million. Whilst the period during the Olympics has historically been the busiest for Paralympic sales, 1.4 million tickets were already sold before the start of the Summer Olympics, already surpassing the total number sold in Sydney.{{cite news|title=2.1m Paralympic tickets snapped up|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/21m-paralympic-tickets-snapped-up-8022473.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/21m-paralympic-tickets-snapped-up-8022473.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription| work = The Independent |access-date=11 August 2012|location=London|first=Helen|last=William|date=8 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} The high demand resulted in the Ticketmaster-operated website crashing under the load.{{cite web |author1=Mark King |title=London 2012 Paralympic tickets: everything you need to know |url=https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/aug/14/london-2012-paralympic-tickets |work=The Guardian |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210714231319/https://www.theguardian.com/money/2012/aug/14/london-2012-paralympic-tickets |archive-date=14 July 2021 |language=English |date=14 Aug 2012 |url-status=live}}

Organisers expected the first ever sell-out in the history of the Paralympics; LOCOG's chief executive Paul Deighton remarked that "the interest in attending the Paralympics has been extraordinary from the start."{{cite news|title=Paralympics tickets raise £10m more than predicted|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19500185|work=BBC News|access-date=6 September 2012|date=6 September 2012}} This success was attributed to the enthusiasm surrounding Great Britain's performance during the Olympics, fan interest in South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius—who had become the first ever double amputee to compete in the Olympics alongside non-disabled athletes, and affordable prices.{{cite news|last=Cecil|first=Nicholas|title=Interest in 'Blade Runner' Oscar Pistorius pushes up London 2012 Paralympic ticket sales|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/interest-in-blade-runner-oscar-pistorius-pushes-up-london-2012-paralympic-ticket-sales-8015168.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/interest-in-blade-runner-oscar-pistorius-pushes-up-london-2012-paralympic-ticket-sales-8015168.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription | work = The Independent |access-date=11 August 2012|date=7 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}

On 8 August, LOCOG announced that 2.1 million tickets had been sold (600,000 in the previous month alone), breaking the record of 1.8 million set in Beijing (1.6 million tickets were also distributed by the Chinese government). IPC president Philip Craven congratulated London for this achievement, crediting it to "the insatiable appetite the public has for top class elite sport", and noted it would be fitting for a Paralympics held in its spiritual birthplace to have filled venues. By the opening ceremony, 2.4 million had been sold, with the remaining 100,000 sold during the Games; 10,000 were offered each day. The last 800 tickets to the Opening Ceremony were distributed to police and the military, while Mayor Boris Johnson arranged for the distribution of 1,100 to members of London's youth athletics clubs.{{cite news|title=Paralympic tickets on sale during Games|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19399100|work=BBC News|access-date=28 August 2012|date=28 August 2012}} Due to popular demand, a further 100,000 contingency tickets were released on 6 September (which included multi-event passes, and event tickets given up by sponsors and partners), along with 100,000 giving access solely to the Olympic Park.

{{See also|2012 Summer Olympics#Logo and graphics}}

The 2012 Summer Paralympics used an emblem sharing a common design with that of the Summer Olympics{{emdash}}the first time this had ever been done.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm|title=London 2012 logo to be unveiled|work=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2007|access-date=4 June 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070613121008/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm| archive-date= 13 June 2007 | url-status= live}} The logo, designed by Wolff Olins, was unveiled on 4 June 2007, and is a representation of the number 2012.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm|title=London unveils logo of 2012 Games|work=BBC Sport|date=4 June 2007|access-date=5 July 2007| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070901012256/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/olympics_2012/6718243.stm| archive-date=1 September 2007| url-status= live}} The Paralympic version has its own distinct colour scheme, and substitutes the Olympic Rings with the Paralympic "agitos".{{cite web|url=http://www.london2012.com/about-newlook-video.html|title=The new London 2012 brand|publisher=London 2012|date=4 June 2007|access-date=4 June 2007 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070606204757/http://www.london2012.com/about-newlook-video.html |archive-date = 6 June 2007}}

{{Main|Wenlock and Mandeville}}

The official mascot of the 2012 Summer Paralympic Games, Mandeville, was unveiled alongside its Olympic counterpart Wenlock on 19 May 2010. As characters, they are portrayed as drops of steel from a steelworks in Bolton, and feature singular camera eyes {{emdash}}representing "focus"{{emdash}} with the cameras capturing aspects of the Games. Mandeville is named in honour of Stoke Mandeville due to its significance in the origins of the Paralympics. Mandeville also wears a helmet emblazoned in the red, green, and blue colours of the Paralympic emblem.{{cite web|title=The London 2012 mascots |publisher=London 2012 |date=19 May 2010 |url=http://www.ourlondon2012.com/mascots/ |access-date=20 May 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100521054503/http://www.ourlondon2012.com/mascots/ |archive-date=21 May 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}{{cite news | title = London 2012 unveils Games mascots Wenlock & Mandeville | work=BBC News | date = 19 May 2010 | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/8690467.stm | access-date =19 May 2010 | first=Gordon | last=Farquhar| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20100522124841/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/8690467.stm| archive-date= 22 May 2010 | url-status= live}}

{{main|2012 Summer Paralympics opening ceremony}}

File:Paralympic flames.jpg

The opening ceremony was held on 29 August at the Olympic Stadium. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play The Tempest and themed around the concept of "Enlightenment", with actors Ian McKellen and Nicola Miles-Wildin playing the roles of Prospero and Miranda. It featured appearances by theoretical physicist Stephen Hawking, and performances by British electronic music group Orbital, and the Graeae Theatre Company, who performed Ian Dury's 1981 protest song "Spasticus Autisticus".{{cite web|url=http://georgemckay.org/spasticus-autisticus-at-the-paralympics-opening-ceremony/|title=Spasticus Autisticus at the Paralympics opening ceremony|last1=McKay|first1=George |date=30 August 2012|access-date=22 April 2014}}

The final bearers of the Paralympic flame represented several generations of Paralympic athletes. "Future" Paralympic athlete Joe Townsend, a Royal Marine who lost both of his legs after stepping on a land mine on duty in Afghanistan, delivered the flame to Olympic Stadium via a zipline from the ArcelorMittal Orbit tower. He passed the flame to long-time British Five-a-side football captain David Clarke, who then passed it to the lighter of the Paralympic cauldron, Margaret Maughan, who was the winner of Britain's first gold medal at the first official Paralympics, in Rome.{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012 opening ceremony: Games launched on a storm of ideas|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/30/paralympics-2012-opening-ceremony-games-launched-storm-ideas| work = The Guardian |access-date=30 August 2012|location=London|first=Owen|last=Gibson|date=30 August 2012}}

{{main|2012 Summer Paralympics closing ceremony}}

The closing ceremony was held on 9 September at the Olympic Stadium. Entitled "The Festival of the Flame", the ceremony was themed around the gathering of people in celebration, and was directed by Kim Gavin, who also directed the closing ceremony of the Summer Olympics just a few weeks prior.{{cite news|title=Paralympic Games: Closing ceremony led by Coldplay|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19537677|work=BBC News|access-date=10 September 2012|date=10 September 2012}} The artistic programme of the ceremony was set to live performances by the British rock band Coldplay. They were accompanied by guest performers such as the British Paraorchestra (who accompanied the band on "Strawberry Swing", and also performed the Paralympic anthem), Barbadian singer Rihanna (who performed "We Found Love", and her collaboration with Coldplay, "Princess of China") and American rapper Jay-Z (who performed "Run This Town" with Rihanna and Coldplay, and joined in a reprise of "Paradise").

During their closing remarks, LOCOG chief Sebastian Coe and IPC president Philip Craven both congratulated London for its successful hosting of the Paralympics; Coe was proud that both the Olympics and Paralympics in London could be labelled "Made in Britain", while Sir Phillip felt that the Games were the "greatest Paralympic Games ever." The Paralympic flag was handed over from Boris Johnson, Mayor of London to Eduardo Paes, Mayor of Rio de Janeiro, host of the 2016 Summer Paralympics. Ellie Simmonds and Jonnie Peacock shared the honour of extinguishing the Paralympic cauldron, sharing its last flame on torches to others throughout the stadium to represent its eternal spirit.{{cite news|title=London 2012 Paralympics closing ceremony – as it happened|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/09/london-2012-paralympics-closing-ceremony-live| work = The Guardian|access-date=10 September 2012|first=David|last=Batty|date=9 September 2012}}

File:Azerbaijani athletics team at the 2012 Summer Paralympics.JPGi athletics team at the 2012 Summer Paralympics]]

London 2012 had the largest number of athletes and participating nations of any Paralympic Games before.{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/it-s-official-london-2012-be-biggest-paralympic-games-ever |title=It's Official – London 2012 to be Biggest Paralympic Games Ever |publisher=Paralympic.org |access-date=8 July 2012}} A total of 4,302 athletes from 164 countries competed in the Games. This represented an increase of 291 athletes and 18 countries from the 2008 Games, which had 4,011 athletes from 146 countries.{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org/ipc_results/reports/participation2pdf.php?sport=all&games=2008PG&gender=|title=Participation Numbers Beijing 2008|publisher=IPC|access-date=23 April 2014}}

Fourteen countries made their Paralympic debut: Antigua and Barbuda, Brunei, Cameroon, Comoros, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, the Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mozambique, North Korea, San Marino, the Solomon Islands and the US Virgin Islands. Trinidad and Tobago returned to the Games for the first time since 1988.[http://www.guardian.co.tt/lifestyle/2012-05-16/paralympic-athletes-thrill-students "Paralympic athletes thrill students"]. Trinidad and Tobago Guardian. 17 May 2012.{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org/trinidad-and-tobago|title=Trinidad and Tobago Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=22 April 2014}}

Andorra made its debut in the Summer Paralympics, having already made three appearances at the Winter Paralympics.{{cite web |url=http://www.paralympic.org/andorra|title=Andorra Paralympic Committee|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date=22 April 2014}} Malawi, which would have been making its debut at the Games, and Botswana, were both due to send delegations but withdrew hours before the opening ceremony citing a lack of government funds.{{cite web|last=Degun|first=Tom|title=Botswana and Malawi pull out of London 2012 Paralympic Games|url=http://www.insideworldparasport.biz/paralympics/summer-paralympics/london-2012/10663-botswana-and-malawi-pull-out-of-london-2012-paralympic-games|publisher=inside world parasport|access-date=29 August 2012|date=29 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829224149/http://www.insideworldparasport.biz/paralympics/summer-paralympics/london-2012/10663-botswana-and-malawi-pull-out-of-london-2012-paralympic-games|archive-date=29 August 2012|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}

The following National Paralympic Committees sent delegations to compete:{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org/ipc_results/reports/participation2pdf.php?sport=all&games=2012PG&gender=|title=Participation Numbers London 2012|publisher=IPC|access-date=2 November 2012}}

The programme of the 2012 Summer Paralympics featured events in 20 sports.{{cite news|title=Paralympics organisers feel London is launchpad for mass-market Games|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/25/paralympics-london-fever-impetus |access-date=3 October 2013 | work = The Guardian|first=Owen |last=Gibson |date=25 August 2012}} The number of events in each sport is noted in parentheses.

{{div col|colwidth=22em}}

• File:Archery pictogram (Paralympics).svg Archery (9) ({{detailslink|Archery at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Athletics pictogram (Paralympics).svg Athletics (170) ({{detailslink|Athletics at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Boccia pictogram (Paralympics).svg Boccia (7) ({{detailslink|Boccia at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Cycling (road) pictogram (Paralympics).svg Paralympic cycling ({{detailslink|Cycling at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Cycling (road) pictogram (Paralympics).svg Road (30)
• File:Cycling (track) pictogram (Paralympics).svg Track (20)
• File:Equestrian pictogram.svg Equestrian (11) ({{detailslink|Equestrian at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Football 5-a-side pictogram (Paralympics).svg Football 5-a-side (1) ({{detailslink|Football 5-a-side at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Football 7-a-side pictogram (Paralympics).svg Football 7-a-side (1) ({{detailslink|Football 7-a-side at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Goalball pictogram (Paralympics).svg Goalball (2) ({{detailslink|Goalball at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Judo pictogram.svg Judo (13) ({{detailslink|Judo at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Powerlifting pictogram (Paralympics).svg Powerlifting (20) ({{detailslink|Powerlifting at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Rowing pictogram.svg Rowing (4) ({{detailslink|Rowing at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Sailing pictogram.svg Sailing (3) ({{detailslink|Sailing at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Shooting pictogram (Paralympics).svg Shooting (12) ({{detailslink|Shooting at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Swimming pictogram (Paralympics).svg Swimming (148) ({{detailslink|Swimming at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Table tennis pictogram.svg Table tennis (29) ({{detailslink|Table tennis at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Sitting volleyball pictogram (Paralympics).svg Volleyball (2) ({{detailslink|Volleyball at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Wheelchair basketball pictogram (Paralympics).svg Wheelchair basketball (2) ({{detailslink|Wheelchair basketball at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Wheelchair fencing pictogram (Paralympics).svg Wheelchair fencing (12) ({{detailslink|Wheelchair fencing at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Wheelchair rugby pictogram (Paralympics).svg Wheelchair rugby (1) ({{detailslink|Wheelchair rugby at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})
• File:Wheelchair tennis pictogram (Paralympics).svg Wheelchair tennis (6) ({{detailslink|Wheelchair tennis at the 2012 Summer Paralympics}})

{{Div col end}}

Events for athletes with intellectual disabilities (ID class) returned to the Paralympics in athletics, swimming, and table tennis for the first time since 2000.{{cite web |url= http://www.uksportsassociation.org/news/19NewsletterJuly2010.pdf |title= President's Newsletter July 2010 |publisher= International Sports Federation for Persons with Intellectual Disability |date= July 2010 |access-date= 13 August 2012 |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120828224149/http://www.uksportsassociation.org/news/19NewsletterJuly2010.pdf |archive-date= 28 August 2012 |df= dmy-all }} ID events had been suspended following the 2000 Summer Paralympics, after the Spanish basketball team was stripped of their gold medals when it was found that only 2 of their 12 team members actually had an intellectual disability. The IPC introduced a new procedure involving "sports intelligence" testing to better determine eligibility for the ID class.{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/8323369.stm|title=Intellectual disability ban ends|work=BBC Sport|date=21 November 2009|access-date=23 August 2012}}{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/disability_sport/7613787.stm |title=Paralympics set to alter entry policy |work=BBC News |date=13 September 2008 |access-date=13 August 2012}}

Also beginning in 2012, sighted guides became eligible to receive medals in certain events; sighted goalkeepers in 5-a-side football, along with guides and pilots in athletics and cycling and boccia assistants were now able to receive medals for their contributions. Previously in the case of tandem cycling, where a visually-impaired rider takes the rear of the bike with a sighted pilot in front, only the visually-impaired rider actually received a medal.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19422244 |title=Paralympics 2012: The able-bodied athletes at the Games |work=BBC News |date=31 August 2012 |access-date=31 August 2012}}

The official schedule was published on 25 August 2011.{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/disability_sport/14662054.stm | work=BBC News | title=2012 Paralympic schedule revealed | date=25 August 2011}}

{{2012 Summer Paralympics calendar}}

{{Main|2012 Summer Paralympics medal table}}

This table is based on the medal count of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC).{{cite web| author = Database | url=http://www.paralympic.org/results/historical|title=Medal Standings – London 2012 Paralympic Games|publisher=International Paralympic Committee|access-date= 22 April 2014}}

The ranking is sorted primarily by the number of gold medals earned by a National Paralympic Committee (NPC). The number of silver medals is taken into consideration next and then the number of bronze medals. If countries are still tied, equal ranking is given and they are listed alphabetically by IPC Country Code.

{{:2012 Summer Paralympics medal table}}

File:Oscar Pistorius wins the 400m T44 final 2.jpg wins the 400m T44 final]]

References:{{cite web|title=Paralympics 2012: full list of every medal winner – and how they break down|url=https://www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/interactive/2012/sep/06/paralympic-games-full-list-every-medalist|work=Datablog|date=6 September 2012|publisher=The Guardian|access-date=22 March 2014}}

File:Trafalgar Square, Paralympics big screen.JPG stage at Trafalgar Square]]

{{main|List of 2012 Summer Paralympics broadcasters}}

Broadcast rights to the 2012 Summer Paralympics were sold to local broadcasters by LOCOG, with production of the world feeds sub-contracted to Olympic Broadcasting Services (OBS). The Games saw a significant growth in media coverage for the Paralympics; LOCOG reached deals with over 36 broadcasters to televise the Games in over 100 countries. LOCOG chief Sebastian Coe stated that "beyond how the commercial value of this package has raised the bar financially for the Paralympic movement, the fantastic broadcast coverage we have agreed will help us take advantage of this opportunity to inspire disabled people of all ages to take up sport and be a catalyst for continued change in public attitudes towards disability." LOCOG reached deals with broadcasters such as China Central Television, the Korean Broadcasting System, NHK, Rede Globo and SporTV in Brazil, the TV Pool (a consortium of free-to-air broadcasters in Thailand consisting of Channel 3, Channel 5, BBTV Channel 7, and Modernine TV), and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation to air coverage.{{cite web|title=Scramble to prevent blank TVs|url=http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Scramble-to-prevent-blank-TVs-30185620.html|work=The Nation|access-date=26 August 2012|archive-date=7 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307044550/http://www.nationmultimedia.com/business/Scramble-to-prevent-blank-TVs-30185620.html|url-status=dead}}{{cite news|title=London 2012 Paralympics: organisers hail record broadcast deals|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9226149/London-2012-Paralympics-organisers-hail-record-broadcast-deals.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9226149/London-2012-Paralympics-organisers-hail-record-broadcast-deals.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Telegraph|access-date=4 October 2013|date=25 April 2012}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=Paralympics TV deals break new ground as ticket rush continues|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/27/paralympics-tv-deals-ticket-rush|work=The Guardian|date=27 August 2012|access-date=4 October 2013}} The games were to be broadcast on television in the United Kingdom by Channel 4, replacing long-time Paralympic broadcaster BBC in a £9 million deal; the BBC still held radio rights, with coverage on BBC Radio 5 Live and 5 Live Sports Extra.{{cite news|title=Channel 4 lands 2012 Paralympics|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/london_2012/8448236.stm|work=BBC Sport|access-date=4 October 2013|date=8 January 2010}}{{cite news| date = 16 August 2012 | title=BBC Paralympic Coverage Details|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/disability-sport/19118962|work= BBC Sport|access-date= 9 October 2012}} The IPC webcast approximately 780 hours of its coverage through its YouTube channel, with four streams of coverage in English and one in Spanish.{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/ipc-announce-london-2012-livestream-commentators |title=IPC Announce London 2012 Livestream Commentators |publisher=International Paralympic Committee |date=16 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012}}

Channel 4's coverage of the Games was billed as the most extensive Paralympic coverage ever broadcast in the United Kingdom; it promised over 150 hours of live coverage throughout the Games on Channel 4 and sister channel More4, and additional coverage online and through special channels carried by Freesat, Sky and Virgin TV (in both standard and high definition). The broadcaster also invested around £600,000 towards training new on-air personalities with expertise in parasports, with many of them also having disabilities themselves. They would be joined by Channel 4 News anchor Jon Snow, and BBC Sport personality Clare Balding. Channel 4 also broadcast supplemental programming to lead towards the Games, such as Paralympic-focused documentaries, other IPC championships, and That Paralympic Show, a weekly program focusing on disability sports.{{cite web|title=C4 opens Paralympic tender process|url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/c4-opens-paralympic-tender-process/5064735.article|work=Broadcast Now|access-date=8 February 2014}}{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/info/press/news/channel-4-to-be-the-paralympic-broadcaster-in-the-uk-in-2012|title=Channel 4 to be the Paralympic Broadcaster in the UK in 2012|date=8 January 2010|publisher=Channel 4|page=3|access-date=3 January 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.paralympic.org/news/unprecedented-rolling-coverage-london-2012 |title=Unprecedented Rolling Coverage for London 2012 |publisher=Paralympic.org |access-date=8 July 2012}}{{cite web|title=Channel 4 starts Paralympic Games push|url=http://www.digitalspy.ca/media/news/a258640/channel-4-starts-paralympic-games-push.html|work=Digital Spy|access-date=4 October 2013}} During the Games, comedian Adam Hills (who himself was born without a right leg, and hosted the Australian Broadcasting Corporation's coverage of the Beijing Paralympics) would host The Last Leg, a Paralympic-themed chat show that followed the conclusion of each night's coverage.{{cite news |title=Australian comedian Adam Hills: 'I was born without a foot. Dull. Move on' |url= https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/2012/aug/24/adam-hills-comedian-disability-tv-paralympics|author=Emine Saner|newspaper= The Guardian|date= 24 August 2012|access-date= 19 September 2012|location=London}}{{cite news |author=Metlikovec, Jane | url=http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,23888693-661,00.html | title=Comedian Adam Hills to host Paralympics |work=Herald Sun |date=19 June 2008|access-date=19 August 2008}} Channel 4's coverage of the Games drew relatively high viewership; its coverage of the opening ceremony was seen by an average of 7.6 million viewers, a 40% share, and peaked at 11.2 million viewers—making it one of Channel 4's most-watched programmes in network history.{{cite news|author=John Plunkett |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/aug/30/paralympics-opening-ceremony-8m-viewers |title=Paralympics opening ceremony attracts almost 8m viewers |newspaper=The Guardian |date= 30 August 2012|access-date=2012-08-30 |location=London}} Primetime coverage saw an average of 3.3 million viewers nightly, while viewership peaked at 4.5 million viewers during the men's T44 200m final where Alan Oliveira beat Oscar Pistorius for the gold medal.{{cite web|title=Channel 4's Paralympics coverage boosted by Pistorius controversy|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2012/sep/03/paralympics-2012-pistorius-c4-ratings|work=The Guardian|date=3 September 2012|access-date=14 March 2014}} Its coverage of the closing ceremony peaked at 7.7 million viewers.{{cite news|title=Paralympic closing ceremony watched by 7.7m|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-19541871|work=BBC News|date=10 September 2012|access-date=16 March 2014}}

Similarly extensive coverage was televised by RTVE in Spain, with approximately 150 hours of live coverage on Teledeporte and TVE HD.{{cite web|title=RTVE ofrecerá en Londres 2012 la mayor cobertura de unos Juegos Paralímpicos|date=28 August 2012 |trans-title=RTVE will offer the most Paralympic Games coverage at London 2012 | language = es | url=http://www.rtve.es/rtve/20120824/rtve-ofrecera-londres-2012-mayor-cobertura-unos-juegos-paralimpicos/559781.shtml|publisher= RTVE|access-date=29 August 2012}} The Australian Broadcasting Corporation aired over 100 hours of coverage across its networks during the Paralympics, with coverage on both ABC1 and ABC2. Coverage of the Games set viewership records for ABC, peaking at 1.6 million viewers on average (in comparison to 1.3 million in Beijing), while ABC2 peaked at a 4.7% viewership share, beating competing digital networks. ABC's coverage was also nominated for a Logie Award for "Most Popular Sports Program".{{cite web|title=ABC Paralympic coverage up for Logie award|url=http://london2012.paralympic.org.au/news/abc-paralympic-coverage-logie-award|publisher=Australian Paralympic Committee|access-date=4 October 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005012110/http://london2012.paralympic.org.au/news/abc-paralympic-coverage-logie-award|archive-date=5 October 2013|df=dmy-all}}{{cite news|title=Paralympics a ratings winner for ABC2|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/media/paralympics-a-ratings-winner-for-abc/story-e6frg996-1226472161772|work=The Australian|access-date=4 October 2013|date=12 September 2012}}

In the United States, NBC Sports, while not being certified as an official broadcaster, purchased and provided five-and-a-half hours of coverage in total, and no live coverage. Additionally, Pay TV channel NBC Sports Network aired one-hour highlight shows, and NBC broadcast a special recapping the Games on 16 September. The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee provided extensive coverage through its own digital outlets.{{cite web|author=Press release |title=USOC announces expanded coverage for London 2012 Paralympic Games |url=http://www2.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2012/August/14/USOC-announces-expanded-coverage-for-London-2012-Paralympic-Games.aspx |publisher=United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee |access-date=14 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20120815220132/http://www2.teamusa.org/US-Paralympics/Features/2012/August/14/USOC-announces-expanded-coverage-for-London-2012-Paralympic-Games.aspx |archive-date=15 August 2012 |df=dmy }} Critics and American athletes expressed disappointment at NBC for its decision not to broadcast any live coverage of the Games.{{cite news|title=Paralympics 2012: NBC to only screen five-and-a-half hours retrospective coverage of Games|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9497286/Paralympics-2012-NBC-to-only-screen-five-and-a-half-hours-retrospective-coverage-of-Games.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9497286/Paralympics-2012-NBC-to-only-screen-five-and-a-half-hours-retrospective-coverage-of-Games.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| work = The Daily Telegraph |access-date=24 August 2012|location=London|first=Gareth A|last=Davies|date=24 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} In Canada, rights were held by Canada's Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium; TSN (English) and RDS (French) produced daily hour-long highlight programs (some of which were aired by CTV Television), while tape-delayed airings of the opening ceremony were carried by Sportsnet One, TSN2, RDS, and RDS2. The coverage was simulcast with open audio descriptions by AMI-tv, a network which broadcasts programming with accommodations for those who are visually or hearing impaired.{{cite web|url=http://www.crtc.gc.ca/eng/archive/2007/db2007-246.htm|title=Broadcasting Decision CRTC 2007-246|date=24 July 2007|publisher=Canadian Radio-television and Communications Commission|access-date=27 February 2012}}{{cite web|title=How to Watch the London 2012 Paralympic Games|url=http://www.ctvolympics.ca/news/article/how-watch-the-london-2012-paralympic-games.html|work=CTVOlympics.ca|publisher=7048467 Canada, Inc.|access-date=25 August 2012}}{{cite web|title=Follow Your Team: Canadian Paralympic Committee Announces London 2012 Paralympic Games Coverage|url=http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/1011017/follow-your-team-canadian-paralympic-committee-announces-london-2012-paralympic-games-coverage|publisher=Canadian Paralympic Committee|date=23 July 2012|access-date=22 April 2014}}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} AMI-tv also broadcast supplemental programming, such as a daily news program from London and a documentary series focusing on Canadian athletes at the Paralympics.{{cite web|title=Media advisory – AMI reveals reporter lineup for Paralympic Games|url=http://www.ami.ca/about/press/Pages/july-2012-2.aspx|work=Press release|access-date=22 April 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304053452/http://www.ami.ca/about/press/Pages/july-2012-2.aspx|archive-date=4 March 2016|df=dmy-all}}

The Telegraph Media Group won the Best Written (print and online) award and Channel 4 won the best broadcast award. The best radio award went to BBC World Service and Larry Wong working for Edmonton Journal won the best photo prize for his image of Benoit Huot.{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/10470312/Telegraph-wins-third-consecutive-award-for-coverage-of-the-2012-London-Paralympic-Games.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/10470312/Telegraph-wins-third-consecutive-award-for-coverage-of-the-2012-London-Paralympic-Games.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|date=23 November 2013|title=Telegraph wins third consecutive award for coverage of the 2012 London Paralympic Games|first=Gareth|last=Davies|newspaper=The Telegraph}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Paralympic Media Awards |url=https://www.paralympic.org/paralympic-media-awards |website=International Paralympic Committee |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140122161335/https://www.paralympic.org/the-ipc/awards/paralympic-media |archive-date=22 Jan 2014 |language=English |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Canadian Photographer Receives International Media Award For London 2012 Paralympic Games Photo |url=https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadian-photographer-receives-international-media-award-for-london-2012-paralympic-games-photo-513294121.html |access-date=14 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150922190217/http://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/canadian-photographer-receives-international-media-award-for-london-2012-paralympic-games-photo-513294121.html |archive-date=22 Sep 2015 |language=English |date=23 Nov 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Vergeer wins Paralympic Sport Award |url=https://www.itftennis.com/161647?channel=itfwheelchairtennisnews |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225182442/https://www.itftennis.com/161647?channel=itfwheelchairtennisnews |archive-date=2018-12-25 |publisher=International Tennis Federation |access-date=14 July 2021 |language=English |date=23 Nov 2013 |url-status=live}}

{{See also|Atos#Atos Healthcare|Work Capability Assessment}}

The role of IT company Atos as a technology provider and official sponsor of the Paralympic Games was criticised by disability-rights groups, due to its contract with Britain's Department for Work and Pensions to carry out capability assessments that determine eligibility for disability benefits. They argued that Atos's programme had lacked integrity and was intended to help cut government spending, since the assessments have resulted in many workers with disabilities being incorrectly judged as "fit for work" and denied benefits.{{cite web|title=Atos comes under attack in emotional Commons debate|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jan/17/atos-attack-emotional-commons-debate|work=The Guardian|date=17 January 2013|access-date=5 October 2013}} Therefore, the groups considered it hypocritical for Atos to sponsor the Games, whilst simultaneously operating a programme that has negatively affected the lives of residents with disabilities. UK Uncut, a political group opposed to public-service budget cuts, held a series of protests dubbed "The Atos Games" to coincide with the start of the Paralympics, culminating with joint demonstrations with Disabled People Against Cuts outside the London headquarters of both Atos and the Department for Work and Pensions on 31 August 2012.{{cite news|title=Paralympics organisers defend sponsor Atos in face of protests|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/aug/28/atos-paraylmpic-involvement-brings-protests| work = The Guardian |access-date=30 August 2012|location=London|first=Owen|last=Gibson|date=28 August 2012}} Speaking at the protests, comedian Jeremy Hardy said that the programme's intent to "victimise people with disabilities" was "blatant and shameless."{{cite news|title=Paralympic sponsor Atos hit by protests|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2012/aug/31/paralympic-sponsor-atos-hit-protests| work = The Guardian|access-date=31 August 2012|location=London|first=Esther|last=Addley|date=31 August 2012}}

During the opening ceremony some British athletes reportedly obscured the Atos logo on their accreditation passes in protest of their involvement. However, an official from the British Paralympic Association denied that this had been the case. LOCOG defended Atos's involvement, stating that the company was "a critical and valued member of [the companies] delivering these Games", due to the technologies it has provided, which included information systems for managing volunteers and distributing event results.

Controversy arose about seating rules for wheelchair users, after two mothers with disabilities accused LOCOG of having discriminatory policies. One claimed she had been told by a LOCOG staff member that spectators in a wheelchair area at the Velodrome could only be accompanied by one adult, and children could not attend without being accompanied by another non-disabled adult, while another was told that her ability to sit in a wheelchair area with her children at ExCeL London was "not guaranteed". A petition for improved access for families with disabilities, started by one of the mothers on Change.org, quickly collected over 30,000 signatures. LOCOG denied having discriminatory policies, stating that parents with disabilities could steward their children in wheelchair seating areas at events with unreserved seats, but may not all be able to sit together at events with reserved seating.{{cite web |title=Locog assures disabled parents over Paralympic tickets |date=16 August 2012 |url=http://www.channel4.com/news/disabled-parents-successful-in-paralympic-ticket-campaign |publisher=Channel 4 |access-date=19 August 2012}}

LOCOG faced further criticism for how it handled the sale of tickets for the wheelchair areas within venues. In May 2012 the online sale of tickets for wheelchair areas was replaced by a dedicated telephone hotline. Organisers were criticised for their use of an 0844 revenue share number for this hotline, and for neglecting to mention on its ticketing website that calls would be charged by the minute. Former sports minister Gerry Sutcliffe viewed this as discrimination against wheelchair users, and called upon LOCOG to compensate those who had used the hotline.{{cite news |title=Paralympics wheelchair bookings 'discriminate', MP says |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-19384473 |work=BBC News |access-date=29 August 2012 |date=26 August 2012}} LOCOG denied that it was receiving additional profits from the phone line, and claimed that a dedicated line was being used to allow customers to receive a service tailored to their individual accessibility needs.{{cite news |title=Paralympics organisers accused of discriminating against wheelchair users with high-cost phone line |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9500253/Paralympics-organisers-accused-of-discriminating-against-wheelchair-users-with-high-cost-phone-line.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9500253/Paralympics-organisers-accused-of-discriminating-against-wheelchair-users-with-high-cost-phone-line.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=28 August 2012 |location=London |date=26 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}

A minor incident occurred involving blind Member of Parliament David Blunkett, who was attending the opening ceremony alongside a Channel 4 director. Blunkett was denied access to his seat at Olympic Stadium because there was no room for his guide dog, and had to watch the ceremony from seats in the stadium's gantry instead. However, Blunkett noted that this was an isolated incident and chose not to make an issue of it, simply advising organisers to "seek to find a solution rather than impose a preconceived notion of what is or is not possible."{{cite news |title=David Blunkett turned away from stadium for Paralympics' opening ceremony because of his guide dog |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9512924/David-Blunkett-turned-away-from-stadium-for-Paralympics-opening-ceremony-because-of-his-guide-dog.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/politics/9512924/David-Blunkett-turned-away-from-stadium-for-Paralympics-opening-ceremony-because-of-his-guide-dog.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |work=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=11 September 2012 |location=London |first=Christopher |last=Hope |date=31 August 2012}}{{cbignore}}

British official broadcaster Channel 4 received some criticism for its coverage of the Paralympics. Users of Twitter complained that its coverage of the opening ceremony contained too many commercial breaks, drawing comparisons to similar complaints faced by NBC during the Olympics' opening ceremony; unlike the BBC, who televised the Olympics in the United Kingdom, both NBC and Channel 4 are supported by advertising. Complaints noted that Channel 4 had shown five ad breaks within the first hour of the ceremony, and that ironically, it had recently broadcast a six-hour long late-night dance music special with no adverts at all. Channel 4 defended the criticism by stating that it had broadcast "significantly fewer" commercials than normal for primetime programming during the ceremony, and that the ad breaks were needed in order to help the channel invest in broadcasting programming such as the Paralympics. Criticism was also made towards comments made by Jon Snow and Krishnan Guru-Murthy during the telecast; Snow was criticized for making comments about war-torn countries during the parade of nations, while Guru-Murthy received similar criticism for quipping that "looking at the ages of these athletes, which have been helpfully provided to us, they're really quite old."{{cite news|last=Hough |first=Andrew |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9507747/Paralympics-2012-Channel-4-under-fire-over-opening-ceremony-adverts.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9507747/Paralympics-2012-Channel-4-under-fire-over-opening-ceremony-adverts.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Paralympics 2012: Channel 4 under fire over opening ceremony adverts |work = The Daily Telegraph |date= 30 August 2012|access-date= 30 August 2012 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}{{cite news|title=Channel 4 to host all-night rave|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-18997826|work=BBC News|date=26 July 2012|access-date=28 April 2014}}

Channel 4 was also accused of showing too many studio segments during the first few days of the Games rather than live events, and for missing several notable events involving British athletes, including a swimming heat where Eleanor Simmonds set a new personal best and almost beat the world record, Sarah Storey winning her eleventh Paralympic medal, and Great Britain's opening wheelchair basketball game against Germany. Channel 4 noted that time was needed during the first few days to explain Paralympic events and the classification system to viewers, and that it was operating three additional channels' worth of live coverage throughout the Games. The broadcaster also stated that it had to make editorial decisions on which events to air during periods where a large number of events were in progress.{{cite news|title=Channel 4 hits back at critics after boost from Paralympics audiences|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/01/channel-4-paralympics-audiences| work = The Guardian|access-date=9 September 2012|location=London|first=Owen|last=Gibson|date=1 September 2012}}{{cite news|title=Paralympic Shorts: It's officially the greatest Games ever|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/paralympic-shorts-its-officially--the-greatest-games-ever-8114025.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympics/paralympic-shorts-its-officially--the-greatest-games-ever-8114025.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription| work = The Independent|access-date=9 September 2012|location=London|first=Liam|last=O'Brien|date=7 September 2012}}{{cbignore}} The amount of live coverage was also affected by Olympic Broadcasting Services, who did not send cameras or provide official television coverage for sports such as cycling, the marathon, and shooting. Channel 4's news department did send its own cameramen to film the affected events for highlights, but was unable to broadcast them live.

In the United States, NBC Sports held the broadcast rights to both the Olympics and Paralympics in 2012. NBC had been frequently criticised in past years by American athletes and IPC officials for its minimal coverage of past Paralympics, and it was speculated by critics that NBC's history of inadequate coverage may have impacted New York City's bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. In 2008, it did not air any coverage while the Games were in progress (neither live or delayed), choosing to air a recap documentary on NBC in November 2008, followed by a week of highlights on Universal Sports.{{cite web | url=http://www.tvguide.com/Sports/NBC-Paralympics-Documentary-35433.aspx | title=NBC to Air Stirring Documentary on 2008 Paralympics | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204031356/http://www.tvguide.com/Sports/NBC-Paralympics-Documentary-35433.aspx | archive-date=4 December 2008 | work=TV Guide | date=7 November 2008 | access-date=7 November 2008}} While relatively larger than its Beijing coverage, NBC produced only five-and-a-half hours of specials featuring tape delayed highlights of the Games; most of them aired on pay-TV channel NBCSN, while the last aired on NBC a week following the conclusion of the Games. No coverage of the opening and closing ceremonies, nor any live coverage, was provided.{{cite news|title=NBC criticised Paralympics after opening ceremony blackout|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9509190/NBC-criticised-Paralympics-after-opening-ceremony-blackout.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9509190/NBC-criticised-Paralympics-after-opening-ceremony-blackout.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work = The Daily Telegraph |access-date=10 September 2012|location=London|date=30 August 2012}}{{cbignore}} By contrast, some broadcasters (such as the host broadcasters, and broadcasters in Australia and Spain) planned to air at least 100 hours or more of coverage from London, and NBC itself had provided extensive coverage of the London Olympics, which was heavily viewed.

NBC's lack of coverage drew the ire of American disability rights groups and IPC president Philip Craven, who expressed his disappointment for American athletes and viewers who were unable to fully experience the games on television. Craven remarked that "some people think that North America always [leads] on everything, and on this they don't. It's about time they caught up." Following the closing ceremonies, Craven hinted that the IPC might exercise greater scrutiny on broadcasters at future Paralympics by stating that "if we find our values don't fit, we'll have to go somewhere else."{{cite web|title=American broadcaster NBC could lose right to show Games after criticisms|url=http://metro.co.uk/2012/09/10/american-broadcaster-nbc-could-lose-right-to-show-games-after-criticisms-569957/| work = Metro |date=10 September 2012|access-date=10 September 2012}} NBC acquired the rights to the 2014 and 2016 Paralympic Games in September 2013; the broadcaster vowed to air a relatively larger amount of Paralympic coverage from Sochi and Rio de Janeiro respectively—in particular, NBC and NBCSN were to air at least 66 hours from Rio. Craven praised NBC's decision to devote a relatively larger amount of airtime to future Paralympics, sharing his hope that U.S. audiences would be "as captivated and emotionally enthralled as the billions around the world who tuned in to London 2012 last summer."{{cite news|title=Paralympic Movement given huge boost as American channels NBC and NBCSN will cover next two Games|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/10330949/Paralympic-Movement-given-huge-boost-as-American-channels-NBC-and-NBCSN-will-cover-next-two-Games.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/10330949/Paralympic-Movement-given-huge-boost-as-American-channels-NBC-and-NBCSN-will-cover-next-two-Games.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live|work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=10 February 2014|location=London|first=Gareth A|last=Davies|date=24 September 2013}}{{cbignore}}

During the women's class F35/36 discus competition, an error in scoring caused the wrong medals to be presented. In this combined class event, final standings were determined based on a points calculation. The calculation converted distances thrown into points, to account for the different functional impairments of the participating athletes. Due to an error in the scoring system, the gold medal in the event was originally awarded to Ukrainian athlete Mariia Pomazan. When the mistake was discovered, the recalculated points showed that Chinese athlete Wu Qing had finished first, with Pomazan in second place. A second medal ceremony was held, which Pomazan did not attend in protest. She was eventually required to return her gold medal.{{cite news| url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2012/sep/03/paralympics-2012-gold-medal-ukrainian| newspaper=The Guardian| title=Paralympic discus thrower must return gold medal, says IPC| date=3 September 2012}}{{cite news| url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9526868/Paralympics-2012-Mariia-Pomazan-returns-discus-gold.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/paralympic-sport/9526868/Paralympics-2012-Mariia-Pomazan-returns-discus-gold.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live| newspaper=The Telegraph| title=Paralympics 2012: Mariia Pomazan returns discus gold| date=6 September 2012}}{{cbignore}}

{{Portal|London|Sports}}

• Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

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• [https://www.paralympic.org/london-2012 London 2012 on the International Paralympic Committee website]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20130329095935/http://www.london2012.com/paralympics/ Official Site of the 2012 Summer Paralympics] (Archived)

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{{succession box

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Category:Multi-sport events in the United Kingdom

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