Lord Coe Visits Weymouth

4 September 2012, 15:24 | Updated: 4 September 2012, 16:21

The Paralympics GB sailing team had a boost today (Monday 4th September) when Lord Coe arrived in Weymouth.

The Chairman of LOCOG visited the Sports Arena on Weymouth beach.

The paralympic sailors are on day four of six days of racing, with Southampton's Helena Lucas competing.

He offered his best wishes for the rest of the regatta and said their performances on the water were attracting attention around the world.

Lord Coe said: “When we were bidding to stage the Olympic and Paralympic Games seven years ago in Singapore we just knew that this was our opportunity, that it was never going to come around again, not just to deliver great sport but also to try to get more young people involved actively in sport both Olympic and Paralympic.

“To see what has consistently taken place within the sailing community in Weymouth and Portland has blown me away. It’s been creative, more young people are now sailing, both able-bodied and those with disability. 

“To the British team sailors I say good luck and thank you! Good luck, which is what everybody needs, and thank you for really attracting such extraordinary audiences and raising the profile of Paralympic sport around the world. 

“This is not just about being viewed in the UK, more countries than ever before are taking part, more competitors are taking part, many of those countries for the first time, and of course, this is an opportunity to showcase Paralympic sport in the 100 or more countries that are now involved in the coverage.”

The final day of racing is on Thursday.