Eurostar to take French Paralympians to London

21 June 2012 | Posted in Sponsorship, Olympics, Europe , | By Eoin Connolly

Eurostar has agreed a partnership with the French National Paralympic Committee ahead of London 2012.

The cross-Channel high-speed rail operator, which is also the official international rail provider of London 2012, will bring 170 French Paralympians to the Paralympic Games from Paris on a specially adapted charter service on 25th August, before taking them on the return journey on 10th September. Athletes travelling will include members of the blind football, wheelchair rugby and wheelchair basketball teams.

Modifications to two Eurostar trains, which will also carry the Belgian Paralympic team to and from London on 26th August and 10th September, will be made at the Eurostar depot in Stratford, close to the Olympic Park.

Nicolas Petrovic, the chief executive of Eurostar, said: "It was an honour for us to announce bringing Belgian Paralympians to London this summer and now to be able to carry the French team as well is incredibly exciting. Working closely with Paralympic Committees in both countries we appreciate how important it is for the individual Paralympians to travel together as one team, which is why every area of our business has played a part turning this project into a reality."

• London 2012 and Eurostar in Entente Cordiale

French National Paralympic Committee president Gérard Masson added: "We are delighted to establish this partnership with Eurostar, which will undoubtedly help our Paralympic team achieve their sporting ambitions. This special adapted Eurostar train will invaluably allow our team to travel to London together, quickly and comfortably."

The London 2012 Paralympic Games will run from 29th August to 9th September.