国际残奥会主席菲利普·克雷文爵士在2012年伦敦残奥会开幕式上的致辞（英文版）

Speech by Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, at the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic Games<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

Your Majesty, your Royal Highnesses, athletes and officials, distinguished guests, Paralympic sports fans from all over the world,

Good evening and welcome to the start of the biggest Paralympic Games ever.

Tonight is a celebration of the development of the human spirit, a celebration of the Paralympic Movement coming home, and a celebration of dreams becoming reality. As we embark on the Games, we do so knowing that what happens here has the energy to change each and every one of us.

Sir Ludwig Guttmann started this magical journey when he developed, and then perfected, the revolutionary practice of using sport in the rehabilitation of spinal cord injury patients.

In 1948, he organized the Stoke Mandeville Games on a small piece of land sandwiched between the back of a hospital and a railway embankment. It was here Sir Ludwig and his colleagues Joan Scruton and Charlie Atkinson and athletes such as Dick Thompson, George Swindlehurst and Margaret Maughan set the foundations for the Paralympic Movement and generated the first sparks that became the Paralympic Spirit.

Through human sporting endeavour that spirit is stronger than ever today and we are eternally grateful to Sir Ludwig for his remarkable vision.

But tonight is not just about his vision becoming reality. Around 10 years ago a group of people had a dream to bring the Games to London. Their vision was to transform East London and inspire a generation.

Backed by tremendous public support, national governments and local authorities, thousands of amazing Games Makers, and the people of this great city of London, Seb Coe’s 2012 team delivered an Olympic Games that exceeded everyone’s wildest dreams. Tonight I am delighted that we are joined by IOC President Jacques Rogge and his wife Ann.

This country has an insatiable appetite for sport. London 2012 has done a tremendous job in making everyone feel that these are their Games. Imagine my pride when I discovered that the Paralympic mascot Mandeville had been hand crafted by a retired steelworker from my home town of Bolton.

Tonight is the start of something extremely special. Tonight is about welcoming the world to a global Games, an event where we will experience every single emotion, including ones we never thought possible.

I would like to thank all the International Sport Federations for their hard work in organizing qualifying competitions, and would like to welcome them all to London together with their respective technical officials and classifiers.

Welcome also to the record 164 National Paralympic Committees who have brought with them the best prepared athletes ever.

Most importantly welcome to you over 4,200 Paralympians.

You have before you some of the finest sporting stages upon which to perform. Every step of the way you will be cheered on by some of the most passionate sport fans that you will have ever seen or heard. Your performances will inspire and excite the world. You will not just inspire a generation here, but many generations to come. With record ticket sales, media and broadcasters, your stories and performances will challenge the way people think about themselves and how they think about others.

You are all catalysts for change and role models for an inclusive society. I ask you to abide by the rules and show the world exactly why you are all Proud Paralympians. You are the reason why millions will fill the venues, whilst billions watch on TV.

You are here to continue the journey started by Sir Ludwig Guttmann and write the next chapter in the history of the Paralympic Movement.

You not only have the abilities to win medals in London, but have the abilities to change the world. You will deliver “sport like never before”. I wish you all the very best of luck and remember - make sure you have fun.

It is now my honor and great pleasure to invite Her Majesty the Queen to declare open the London 2012 Paralympic Games.