Agenda item

(E)       2012 will be the first time the modern Paralympic Games has returned to London since the first Games for disabled athletes, then known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, were staged here in conjunction with the 1948 Olympic Games.

Both the City and the UK have a large reputational and financial investment in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Members will recall the City has already hosted a reception at Guildhall during the fact-finding visit to London by the National Paralympic Committees’ Chefs de Mission, whose job is to ensure that participating athletes enjoy a stress-free and successful experience during the Games.

With this in mind and the fact that the International Paralympic Committee will also be staying in the City throughout the Paralympic Games, it is recommended that a number of guests be invited to attend a reception to be held on Wednesday 29 August 2012 at the Guildhall immediately prior to the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony; it being referred to this Committee to make the necessary arrangements out of City’s Cash within the approved cost parameters. This would provide a unique opportunity for the City of London to support and engage with this prestigious global event. Guests would include senior UK government figures, senior overseas representatives, Sports Ministers, members of the International Olympic and Paralympic Executive Committees, and other prominent personalities and representatives from the international sports, cultural and creative communities.

This would be a Committee event.

(E)       2012 will be the first time the modern Paralympic Games has returned to London since the first Games for disabled athletes, then known as the Stoke Mandeville Games, were staged here in conjunction with the 1948 Olympic Games.

Both the City and the UK have a large reputational and financial investment in both the Olympic and Paralympic Games.  Members will recall the City has already hosted a reception at Guildhall during the fact-finding visit to London by the National Paralympic Committees’ Chefs de Mission, whose job is to ensure that participating athletes enjoy a stress-free and successful experience during the Games.

With this in mind and the fact that the International Paralympic Committee will also be staying in the City throughout the Paralympic Games, it is recommended that a number of guests be invited to attend a reception to be held on Wednesday 29 August 2012 at the Guildhall immediately prior to the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony; it being referred to this Committee to make the necessary arrangements out of City’s Cash within the approved cost parameters. This would provide a unique opportunity for the City of London to support and engage with this prestigious global event. Guests would include senior UK government figures, senior overseas representatives, Sports Ministers, members of the International Olympic and Paralympic Executive Committees, and other prominent personalities and representatives from the international sports, cultural and creative communities.

This would be a Committee event.

            Read and agreed to.