Paralympics is underway (From Dudley News)

Paralympics is underway

9:29am Friday 31st August 2012 in Dudley Council Noticeboard

Athletes from the Dudley borough are set to battle it out with some of the world’s greatest athletes at the Paralympics, which starts today. 

Dudley Council is supporting local athletes who have trained at Dudley’s schools, sports clubs and leisure centres.

Wheelchair tennis player Jordanne Whiley, whose early tennis career included being a participant in the council’s primary school sportlink programme, is one of the stars tipped for a medal. Jordanne became Britain’s youngest ever national wheelchair singles champion when she won the title in 2007, aged just 14, and reached the quarterfinals of the doubles tournament in Beijing.

Shooting star Richard Davies, who completed some of his training at Dudley Council’s Crystal Leisure Centre, will also compete in the Paralympics. The 42 year-old from Stourbridge, who is currently ranked fourth in the world, played high-level wheelchair rugby for over 14 years but recently set his sights on shooting. 

Halesowen's Helen Scott is also competing with the British Para-cycling team. The Manchester based athlete joined the GB Para-cycling team in April 2010. She was the national champion in the women's sprint in 2009 and her ambition is to become a world champion, a Paralympic champion and world record holder. She will ride in tandem as a sight pilot with visually impaired Aileen McGlynn, OBE double gold medallist from the Beijing Paralympics in 2008.

Councillor Tracy Wood, cabinet member for environment and culture, said:

“Dudley Council believes that sport and physical activity is there to be enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities.

“We run a wide range of activities in our parks and leisure centres and we hope that the Olympics and Paralympics will inspire a generation to try them out.”

More information on Dudley’s London 2012 events and celebrations can be seen online at www.dudley.gov.uk/london2012