August 29, 2012

expert reaction to British science being celebrated at the paralympic opening ceremony

The opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympic games had as its theme Britain’s tradition of science and innovation, with astrophysicist Stephen Hawking as narrator.

Dr Chris Tyler, Director, Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST) Houses of Parliament, said:

“The spirit of the enlightenment and compassion towards disability are very much connected. Britain pioneered and continues to be a leader in both; something of which we should be very proud. These Paralympics promise to be the best ever.”

Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, said:

“As we look forward to great success for ParalympicsGB and the whole Paralympic movement over the next eleven days it is nice to also reflect on Britain’s great scientific heritage. These are proud times to be British and so we should be looking to celebrate everything that we are good at. Britain can claim to be the home of modern science just as we were the birthplace of the Paralympics. And we still excel at both today.

“Science does so much to improve everyone’s lives and it has had a real part to play in bringing us to the great celebration of sport happening in London. The father of the games, Ludwig Guttman, was a fellow of the Royal Society and medical and technological advances have helped support the commitment of the athletes. Involving Stephen Hawking also celebrates science’s equivalent of a Paralympian – a man who has not let disability stand in the way of great achievement.”

Philip Greenish, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said:

“The Paralympic Games will be an extraordinary showcase of world-class engineering that makes possible ever greater performance from the athletes taking part.

“Many of the cutting-edge engineering innovations pioneered through elite sport are finding their way into society at large, enabling people with disabilities to lead more active and fulfilling lives.”