2012 London Paralympics Logo

After a spectacular Olympic Games, London 2012 chiefs undertook a huge transitional operation at Stratford to make the Paralympic Games equally successful.

Paul Deighton, Chief Executive, LOCOG said it will be the largest Paralympic Games ever and opening last Thursday, was a huge operation in a short time period.

The venues were designed with both Games in mind but there are a number of specific changes that had to be made.

All venues have had the look and signage refreshed, the flags of the nations revised, adjustments made to broadcast requirements, and changes to field of play, as sports in each venue are slightly different.

At the Athletes’ Village it has taken just five days to transform the complex to host 4,280 Paralympic athletes, 3,500 team officials, 1,225 Games Officials and 22 assistance dogs.

As there will be 1,800 wheelchair users on site, workshop equipment and spare parts has been brought in for service provision for athletes, this includes a wheelchair repair centre.

The giant Olympic Rings around cities across the UK and in London have started coming down. Eton Manor in the north of the Olympic Park features nine courts for the Wheelchair Tennis competition. During the Games, it also houses temporary training pools for Paralympic Swimming events.

Seventeen venues are no longer needed and were dismantled or decommissioned so that spaces were returned to owners and the public. Some venues are being used for different sports, including ExCeL for Wheelchair Fencing, Boccia, Sitting Volleyball and Powerlifting, the Copper Box for Goalball and the Riverbank Arena for 7-a-side football and 5-a-side football

There will be 201 more events in five fewer days of competition (Only 302 events in Olympic Games)

Some 2,000 Fleet vehicles were rebranded with the Agitos symbol while 293 buses - 266 in London - were converted to provide up to six wheelchair spaces:

And the London 2012 Festival will continue to provide events and exhibitions - many of them free. For more information visit www.london2012.com/festival and follow @london2012fest to make sure you don’t miss out on some special pop-up surprises.

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