To mark the 200 day countdown to the start of the 2012 Paralympics, Sport.Cardiff hosted an event Sainsbury’s on Colchester Avenue and confronted shoppers with a sporty challenge from a parlaympic athlete.
The team were joined by Sara Head, a GB table tennis player who encouraged 200 shoppers to have-a-go at a paralympic sport to mark the important occasion.
Wheelchair basketball and boccia were all available on the day as well as the chance to challenge Sara to a game of table tennis.
Shop staff also showed their support by dressing up in sports gear.
Sara’s paralympic campaign has been supported by Sainsbury’s Colchester Avenue whilst she trains in Cardiff at the Sport Wales National Centre.
Sport.Cardiff took the opportunity to recruit people to become volunteer ambassadors, the title given to the official London 2012 volunteers who will represent Cardiff by welcoming visiting teams and spectators to the city.
Sainsbury’s has signed up as the first sole sponsor of the 2012 London Paralympics and has vowed to use its shop network across the UK to promote the Paralympics in the lead up to the Games.
Cardiff is set to play an important role in the Games as the city is hosting Olympic football matches at the Millennium Stadium.
It will also provide pre-game training camps for a number of Olympic and Paralympic teams as they make their preparations for the start of the Games.
The capital has been confirmed as one of the cities to host the Paralympic Torch Relay which will lead the UK into the start of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Executive Member for Sport, Leisure and Culture, Cllr Nigel Howells said: “The countdown to the 2012 Paralympics is an exciting time here in Cardiff and we are both proud and excited to have such an important role in the Paralympic Games.
“We are committed to providing disability provision in many different sports and as part of the London 2012 Games legacy and hope to inspire future Paralympians from the city.
“This latest event aimedo give people an opportunity to experience different sports in a fun environment so they can be inspired by Paralympic athletes.”
Sainsbury’s store manager Simon Luffman said: “We are really proud to host this event and continue our partnership with Sport.Cardiff.
“With Sainsbury’s being a paralympic sponsor we are committed to supporting local disability sports opportunities and I am thrilled to see how many clubs and events are now available to disabled people across South Wales.”
