London 2012's Paralympics chief backs Rogge's Youth Games vision

By George Scott, Sportsbeat

NINE-TIME Paralympic swimming champion Chris Holmes has urged International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge to make plans for a Youth Paralympics a reality.

HOPEFUL: London 2012's Chris Holmes wants the IOC to deliver on their promise of a Youth Paralympic Games (Getty Images)

Rogge brought the curtain down on the inaugural Youth Olympic Games in Singapore, where Great Britain's 39 athletes won 13 medals, and declared the event a roaring success.

The Belgian also revealed his desire to see the format, which saw 3500 athletes, aged 14-18, from 202 nations take part, transferred to the Paralympics.

And Holmes, now Director of Paralympic Integration for London 2012 after a swimming career that spanned from Seoul to Sydney, believes a similar event would kick-start the next generation of world-class disabled athletes.

"It is a really good conversation to have," said Holmes. "It is just as important to inspire young disabled people around the world as it is to inspire able-bodied people.

"The Youth Olympics has been a fantastic event and if we have the chance to develop that and introduce a Youth Paralympics then we should take that opportunity - sport should be open to everybody."

Great Britain returned from the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing with a record medal haul - 42 gold medals, 29 silvers and 31 bronzes - to lie second in the medal table behind China.

And, with Sunday marking exactly two years until the 2012 Paralympic opening ceremony, Holmes insists British athletes have a responsibility to inspire future Paralympians when the Games plants its flag in London.

"We can use hosting the Paralympics to have a positive impact on people across the United Kingdom," he added.  

"If we can put on a successful Paralympic Games in 2012 with British people on the medal rostrum then that is going to have an inspirational impact on youngsters across the nation.

"We need to show what is possible and what people can achieve if they go for their dreams."

This weekend is two years to go to the Paralympics – plan your games at www.london2012.com