London 2017: Paralympic chief Sir Philip Craven expects para sport to go from strength to strength

The boss of Paralympic sport has declared “we’re not going anywhere” and that London 2017 will give it a further shot in the arm.

International Paralympic Committee president Sir Philip Craven praised London 2012 for “the planets aligning” and predicted a bright future for the Paralympic movement.

Craven, who competed for Great Britain at the Paralympics in athletics, swimming and wheelchair basketball from 1972 to 1988, said: “It has developed since then in that there is more awareness about it. Para sport is on the television — 155 countries broadcast para sport at the Rio Games. People know about us now.

“Some countries have been playing catch-up — the US only broadcast para sport at Rio. But we are in for the long haul now, we’re not going anywhere, especially when people see the level of competition now. It is remarkable.

“It is in countries’ best interests as it is a great calling card for their country to show off how brilliant their para athletes are.

“You would not have seen that a few years ago. The planets aligned in London 2012 in terms of para sport and they have stayed aligned ever since.”

The World Para Athletics Championships form the first part of London 2017 and are followed by the World Athletics Championships. It is the first time the two events have been run in conjunction at the same venue, the London Stadium.

Craven has predicted a “fantastic” championships to “take us back to the heady days of London 2012”, when Britain and the world’s Paralympians performed in front of full houses for every session. An initative launched today — #FillTheStadium— is a final push for ticket sales.

“I don’t think Paralympic sport took off in Britain in London, I think that happened in Beijing,” said Craven. “But London gave it a huge boost that we are still experiencing today. To be back in the Olympic Stadium, the best venue and an iconic stadium, it will be fantastic.

“London 2017 is a wonderful occasion to relive those special days of five years ago, a chance to rekindle that national pride and unity, and an opportunity to put a morale boosting smile back of the face of the British people. I am confident London 2017 will be a very special event. I fully support #FillTheStadium as it’s a chance to celebrate everything that is good about the human spirit and see first-hand how positivity can overcome negativity.”

These are Craven’s final championships before he steps down as IPC chief after 16 years, having served the maximum number of terms. He added: “This will be a wonderful way to leave my presidency.”