The 13 metre long, 8m high Agitos weigh one tonne and are made entirely of aluminium with a powder coat finish, with the recognisable red, blue and green colours.

It is the first of five sets of giant Paralympic Agitos to launch in Britain before the Paralympic Games begin on August 29 and will provide the backdrop for Cardiff's Paralympic Torch Relay celebrations at the location on August 27.

The launch event was attended by London 2012 director of Paralympic integration and nine-time Paralympic swimming champion Chris Holmes, as well as the executive director of Disability Sport Wales, Jon Morgan.

Also in attendance were athletes from the Australian Paralympic team and Papua New Guinea Paralympic team who are currently staying at a Pre-Games training camp in Cardiff, while members of wheelchair basketball club Cardiff Celts (pictured below), put on a sporting demonstration.

"I'm thrilled that we are launching the first set of giant Agitos here in Cardiff," said Holmes.

"Wales has a great history of supporting both grassroots and elite disability sport and I am sure the Agitos will inspire and excite residents, spectators and athletes looking to play their part in the London 2012 Games.

"We are hugely excited about this incredible summer of sport continuing and welcoming athletes from around the world."


Earlier this week, London 2012 revealed how the Welsh Paralympic Flame will be created at the summit of Snowdon as part of the Paralympic Torch Relay on August 22.

The event will see a group of young disabled and non-disabled Scouts from communities near to Snowdon ascend the mountain and use a ferrocerium rod to create the sparks that will light the flame for Wales.

The Flame will then be placed in a miner's lantern and transferred to Cardiff where it will be the focus for a day of Paralympic celebrations on August 27 at City Hall, following similar celebration on the three previous days in London, Belfast and Edinburgh.

"For a nation that is so passionate and proud of its commitment to Paralympic and disability sport, it is an absolute privilege for our capital city to be hosting the symbol of the International Paralympic Committee – the Agitos," said Morgan.

"The eyes of the nation will be on London 2012 with 38 athletes from Wales selected to represent ParalympicsGB and with 14 Paralympic nations training in Wales ahead of the Games, it is fitting that the Agitos are coming to Cardiff."

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