News
Eurostar unveils specially adapted services to carry - French and Belgian Paralympic teams to London 2012
Tuesday 10, July 2012
Hundreds of Paralympians will travel to London on two modified Eurostar services. Adapted trains can carry up to 18 wheelchair users allowing each team to travel together.
A trio of Paralympic athletes joined Eurostar, the official carrier of the French and Belgian Paralympic teams, at their East London depot yesterday to reveal the unique modifications being made to Eurostar services carrying athletes to the London 2012 Paralympic Games this summer.
Britain's F57 javelin world champion and world record holder, Nathan Stephens; Belgium’s top Paralympic wheelchair tennis player, Annick Sevenans; and France’s leading Paralympic fencing champion, Moez el Assine were among the first to visit the depot – within a stone’s throw of the Olympic Park - to find out how each train will be adapted by Eurostar’s fleet engineering team.
Eurostar became partners with the French and Belgian National Paralympic Committees last month, and, after consultation with both committees have been able to show how they can successfully adapt two trains to accommodate all the requirements of the teams. For the first time, the trains will be able to carry up to 18 wheelchair users who are unable to transfer from a wheelchair to a seat, as well as many other wheelchair users who can transfer to a seat and other Paralympic athletes with special travel needs.
GB javelin medal favourite, Nathan Stephens comments; “With just over 50 days to go to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, excitement is building across teams and fans around the world. One of the biggest challenges for Paralympic teams is the logistics of how they can travel to the Games together, with large numbers of athletes being wheelchair users. Travelling as one team to the Games is important for team bonding, so it is great to see how a transport provider like Eurostar is modifying its operations, so it can carry the French and Belgian teams.
“The importance of these types of projects cannot be underestimated. I hope that the efforts by Eurostar and the infrastructure providers in the UK, France and Belgium, which will allow the French and Belgian Paralympics teams to travel together to London 2012, will provide inspiration for transport providers across the World, as well as for next Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2016.”
The majority of the French and Belgian Paralympians, including teams competing in blind football, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball, will travel to London by Eurostar on the 25 and 26 August. They will make their celebratory, homecoming journey to Paris and Brussels on the 10 September. In addition, some team members will travel to London on other services in order to accommodate their training and Games time schedules.
Nicolas Petrovic, Chief Executive of Eurostar, said; "We are extremely proud to be able to carry Paralympic teams from the continent to the London 2012 Paralympic Games this summer. It’s a great testament to the way that we, the infrastructure providers and the French and Belgian Paralympic Committees have worked together as one team. The project has been a source of inspiration for our entire business, and is part of our commitment to making high-speed rail travel easy, accessible and enjoyable for all.”
Eurostar is Official International Rail Services Provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Over the summer, Eurostar services will carry hundreds of thousands of Olympic fans from the continent to London to enjoy the atmosphere of the London 2012 Games.
Tickets for Eurostar services during the Games are still open for sale to book visit www.eurostar.com
Latest news
Tourism
Business travelers want latest technology and best gadgets
Auckland Zoo named one of NZ elite tourist attractions
Caribbean and Mediterranean losing beach tourism market to Southeast Asia
Aviation
Boeing: China will lead the Asia Pacific region in new airplane deliveries
British Airways begins installing new seats in Euro Traveller cabin
American Airlines drops free meals on short haul flights
Hospitality
First capsule hostel to open in Antwerp, Belgium
Marriott named to World's Most Innovative Companies List
Marriott Hotels debuts - healthy vending machine
Find the best deals available today
The grey menu on the right is your best friend. Always check before you travel.
Plan your trips with the help of great resources
More and more travellers think that researching and planning a European city break is half the fun and they're not interested in pre-arranged trips or escorted tours. Self-guided tours offer a lot of advantages but require some guidance and good resources.
Clean, green and very pristine
Top 10 most environmentally pure countries
With the recent wild fires, disrupting flights and increasing air pollution, environmental quality is a growing factor in attracting tourists.
Rooftop
Top 15 most spectacular hotel rooftop views
The hotel price comparison site www.trivago.co.uk has put together a list of the fifteen most spectacular hotel rooftop terraces in the world.
Pro city guides
Places by themes
Latest offers, discounts and more...
Accor “3=2 offerâ€Why not extend your stay? 3 nights for the price of 2.
Columbus Direct travel insuranceQuality cover at low prices to customers all around the world.
Priority passAccess VIP lounges no matter where which airline and class you fly.
European City CardsSee more and pay less! Get your "passport" to European cities.
Rail EuropeComfortable and affordable on European trains.
Lonely Planet MagazinePacked with insider knowledge, hints and tips.
Sandemans New Europe City ToursFree walking tours in 13 cities within 9 countries.
Sol Melia WednesdaysSearch your exclusive special offers now for the coming weekend!
TransfersLow-cost shuttle and private transfers in over 70 countries.
IMEX Frankfurt 25-27 MayThe essential worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.
