Thursday, 4 September 2008
Dominique Alexander-Ellis, a Young Ambassador from Capital City Academy in London has been invited by the Beijing Organising Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) to take part in the Beijing Paralympic Torch Relay, which takes place in the run up to the start of the Paralympic Games.
The flame will be lit in the National Stadium in Beijing on 6 September, symbolising the start of the Games, which run until 17 September.
Dominique, who has competed in Judo at national and international level, is one of four torchbearers taking part. The others include: Daniel Lucker from Wales, who has competed at the London Mini Wheelchair Marathon for the past two years, Michelle Martin, a volunteer from Kent, who has worked on the personal best programme and David Morris, who leads on disabled and Deaf people's rights at the Greater London Authority.
Andy Martin, Head of Olympic and Paralympic Development at the Youth Sport Trust said:
“We are extremely pleased that Dominique has been given this unique opportunity to take part in the Paralympic Torch Relay. Our Young Ambassador programme is all about promoting sport and the Olympic and Paralympic values and we hope Dominique will have a fantastic time.”
On the Paralympic Games, Mayor Boris Johnson said:
"I am looking forward to seeing our Paralympians compete in Beijing. I hear that on a good day Paralympics GB are one of the best squads in the world, so we should all cheer them on to even greater success. I also look forward to learning more about how to ensure we make the London Games in 2012 the most inclusive they can be."
Click here to find out more about our Young Ambassador programme