 |
| [PHOTO: David Jones/PA Wire] |
London: The London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has appointed Eva Loeffler OBE, daughter of the founder of the Paralympic Games, Ludwig Guttmann as Mayor of the London 2012 Paralympic Village.
Her duties commenced from Monday as the first team officials start arriving in the Village ahead of athletes’ arrival from 22 August.
Having been a volunteer at the first wheelchair Games in 1948 Eva has been involved in the Paralympic movement since its outset. She was one of the original Directors of the British Paralympic Association, Chairman of British Wheelchair Sports Foundation, a member of the 1989 Colin Moyniham Review into sport for the disabled and Vice President of Wheelpower.
Eva will be supported by a wider Mayoral team including Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Culture, Olympics, Media & Sport Parliamentary Committee and Olympic Board member, Rt. Hon. Don Foster MP and politician and Olympian Rt. Hon. Menzies Campbell MP.
Expressing his views, LOCOG Chairman Seb Coe said, “Eva has a longstanding association with the Paralympic Games having been involved since its inception. I’m delighted to appoint her as Paralympic Village Mayor.”
Incoming Paralympic Village Mayor Eva Loeffler said, “The development of Paralympic sport and the Paralympic Games has played a significant role in my life and I’m thrilled to be appointed Paralympic Village Mayor as the Games return to the UK. I’m really looking forward to working with the whole team to deliver an outstanding and memorable experience for Village residents and visitors this summer.”
The role of Village Mayor is to act as the ‘figurehead’ of the Paralympic Village. It is a requirement of the International Paralympic Committee and key responsibilities include welcoming and hosting international and domestic guests and dignitaries, attending and speaking at Village events and maintaining a visible and accessible presence throughout the Games for both residents and Games Makers.