Paralympics must be available to all - Dee Doocey

11.43.00am GMT Fri 13th Nov 2009

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Olympics Spokesperson, commenting on today's review of events reserved for live broadcast on free-to-air television said:

"It is highly regrettable that the Davies panel have not included the Paralympics Games as a listed event, which can be viewed by everyone. A vital opportunity has been missed.

"It would be totally unacceptable if access to the Paralympics Games was restricted to just people who can pay to watch them. Such a development would marginalise the Paralympic Games and be a complete betrayal of the promises that were made about the 2012 Games being fully accessible."

ENDS

Notes to editors

1. While the Olympic Games are already protected in law and must be broadcast on 'free to view' television the Paralympics are excluded.

2. At the Beijing Paralympic Games the UK came second in the total number of medals awarded to any country.