The official ParalympicsGB fan zone hosted by Battersea Power Station in London was opened by Paralympian gold medallists Danielle Brown (para archery) and Kylie Grimes (wheelchair rugby) today (28 August).
Danielle won gold medals in Beijing 2022 and London 2012. Kylie became the first woman ever to win a Paralympic Gold medal in wheelchair rugby when GB beat USA in the final at Tokyo 2020.
Five cities – London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Bristol and Southampton – are hosting six ParalympicsGB fan zones which are open daily for the 11 days of the Paris 2024 Games.
Managed by Ocean Outdoor, each zone is free to enter and includes a big screen where sports fans and families can watch all the live action, enjoy the sporting drama as it unfolds, soak up the ambience and meet Paralympians from previous Games.
Battersea Power Station provides inclusive sport activities
Located in Power Station Park next to the London landmark and River Thames, the accessible outdoor space will accommodate two social impact initiatives and six national governing bodies (NGBs), which encourage and provide inclusive sports and physical activities for people with a range of disabilities.
· Every Body Moves will host a marquee event with Come and Try sessions hosted by local Every Body Moves clubs for fan zone visitors. This is available on 31 August.
· Get Set has invited pupils from local special education and mainstream schools to try a range of “Path to Paris” activities as facilitated sessions. Taking place on 6 September, they will be joined by ParalympicsGB table tennis player Ashley Facey, a two time Paralympian (Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020).
The NGBs offering ‘Have a Go’ sports activities include:
· Boccia UK – a target sport using soft leather balls. This activity is available on 28 August and 6 September.
· British Fencing – an opportunity to have a go at another ParalympicsGB gold medal winning discipline wheelchair fencing (available 28 – 30 August).
· Goalball UK – Teams of three throw a ball (with bells inside) down a tactile court trying to score a goal, with the opposition team using their bodies to block the ball. Everyone is blindfolded during the game (available 28 – 30 August).
· British Cycling will provide accessible bicycles and trikes to try out a popular discipline which bagged ParalympicsGB 24 medals at the Tokyo Games (available 30 – 31 August and 6 – 7 September).
· England Athletics – activities will include wheelchair racing, along with fundamental movement activities – running, jumping and throwing (available 30 August – 1 September).
· British Rowing – two rowing machines will be available for come and try sessions (1 – 3 September).
Battersea Power Station, which is home to more than 140 shops, bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, offers blue badge parking, accessible toilets, a Changing Places facility, BSL interpreting, sensory packs, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, manual wheelchairs which can be borrowed and electric scooters for hire.
Visitors with access needs can also sign up to the WelcomMe app for free to let Battersea Power Station’s Guest Services team know when they will be visiting so they can be on hand to assist where needed.
Further information about Battersea Power Station’s accessibility offering can be found here – www.batterseapowerstation.co.uk/guest-services/
