Du Toit describes London as world leader in Paralympic Movement

The multi-Paralympic champion praised the success of London 2012 at this week's Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards. 08 Feb 2013

A picture of a girl showing a gold medal after her victory

Natalie du Toit of South Africa gives the thumbs up after winning her 5th Gold Medal in the 50m Freestyle S9 during day 8 of the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games

ⒸGetty Images

By IPC

"It was fantastic to see as an athlete how easy it was, and it was fantastic to be there at London 2012 and experience that."

South Africa's now-retired Paralympic star Natalie du Toit recently praised the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, describing the city as a leader of the Paralympic Movement and successfully raising awareness of the Games.

"Beijing was the first step in disability awareness," du Toit told the Sport Industry Group this week. "Before the kids were hidden from the rest of the community because they were shy of them, but the Beijing Olympics really brought that out.

"London, though, is definitely the leader in the Paralympic Movement."

The 13-time gold medal winner also pointed out individuals who had made a difference to the overall atmosphere of London 2012, and boosting the awareness and progress of the Paralympic Movement.

Du"Baroness Tanni Grey-Thompson, for example, is proving to be a leader in the Movement," she said. "Going out there and changing things such accessibility, to ensure that wheelchair users can get off the train at platforms OK. These things make a huge difference.

"It was fantastic to see as an athlete how easy it was, and it was fantastic to be there at London 2012 and experience that."

Du Toit was joined by former Bafana Bafana and Leeds United captain Lucas Radebe and French rugby legend Serge Betsen, who came together on Wednesday (6 February) in Johannesburg to preview this year's Virgin Active Sport Industry Awards.