The Latest Breaking News from London 2012

Opening ceremony to feature Birmingham’s rich musical heritage in ‘generation-defining show’

Ten years ago, London hosted the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. For London 2012 planners, a central aim was that this mega-event would change the way non-disabled people – and society at large – see disabled people in the long-term.

When London was preparing to host the 2012 Olympic Games, 250,000 people signed up to volunteer as official “Games Makers”. Of these, 70,000 people were ultimately selected to wear the distinctive purple-and-red volunteer uniforms. For 40% of them, it was the first time they’d done anything like this.

It is often forgotten in the euphoria which followed that Team GB were slow starters at London 2012, day five producing the first gold medal, from rowers Helen Glover and Heather Stanning.