Sights set on 2012

As the Paralympic Handover ceremony took place between the Mayors of Beijing and London on Wednesday 17 September, students at New College Durham joined in the celebration and unveiled a potential 2012 Paralympic champion of their own.

16-year-old Katherine Langton, who’s studying for a National Diploma in Media, showed off her racing wheelchair at the event organised by the college’s Further Education Sports Coordinator, Donna Knowles, to celebrate and promote the history of the Paralympics.

Katherine has only been involved in Wheelchair Racing for one season but has already seen a huge improvement in her race times and she would love to compete in the 2012 Paralympics in London. She is currently training hard to help her to achieve her dream.

Katherine said, “My goal is to compete in the 2012 Paralympics but there are fewer opportunities available for disabled athletes so I think it’s great that the college is trying to raise awareness of this issue. The Paralympics demonstrates that disabled athletes can achieve great things with the right opportunities and support.”