Our Paralympians did it. And though the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games are now over, and the athletes have returned to their respective homes around the world, I know that the success and impact remain fantastically high for the Paralympic Movement.

What a magnificent ten days of events and competitions. We had a record amount of coverage around the world that expanded our audience exponentially - the largest in Paralympic Winter Games history with the number of broadcast hours. We had online live and video on demand broadcasting with our official internet channel ParalympicSportTV, giving anyone with a computer a front row seat to the action.

And I know that the high definition video also had a big effect on how people watched the Games. Every detail was seen on the snow and ice in Vancouver and Whistler, and every performance was celebrated.

Vancouver also had an increase in all the main participation numbers from the previous Winter Games in Torino. A total of 502 athletes (381 males and 121 females) from 44 countries were competing, compared to the 474 athletes from 39 countries in 2006. We also welcomed four new countries to the Winter Games this year: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Romania, Serbia. We hope to see even more at the next Winter Games in Sochi.

During the Games the Vancouver 2010 Organising Committee was exceptional, and I can give the best example of why - the volunteers. The volunteers were informed, prepared and helpful to Paralympic fans who were there to watch the action. Also called "blue jackets" because of their uniforms, they made the Games a complete success.

In the competitions I saw, the athletes were strong, determined and fierce. They all were in for the best performances of their lives – and they had thousands of fans to cheer them on with every move. In fact, when I was at the UBC Thunderbird Arena in Vancouver to watch the ice sledge hockey games, there was not a quiet soul in the room.

The fans were excited and enthusiastic about every block, pass, play and point. They made the experience real for the athletes, as well as for the rest of us.

And this carried into the streets of Canada, as I saw photos taken of children playing ice sledge hockey in their neighbourhood streets on skateboards. They really got Paralympic sport. This is a perfect example of the undeniable impact that the Vancouver Paralympic Winter Games have had on the country and the people.



I truly saw the Paralympic Movement take a giant leap forward during and after the Vancouver Games. Now with the London 2012 Paralympic Games next on the calendar for the Paralympic Games, it will again be quite the show - there is no doubt about this.

What is already happening in Great Britain and London is a fantastic preview of what is to come. The educational programme, the advertising and the equal importance that is given to both the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games will show the people of Britain the true spirit of sport.

It is exciting to see the Paralympic Games coming home to Britain, where our founder Sir Ludwig Guttmann began the Paralympic Movement.

Now in following Vancouver 2010, Paralympic sport moves forward with more determination, more courage, more inspiration and more equality. And the people of Britain will show the world in 2012 their Paralympic spirit, and once again inspire our athletes to give the best of themselves, which thus inspires the world.

The countdown to the London 2012 Paralympic Games now takes the official spotlight. I hope you too will be there for the experience.

Sir Philip Craven is the President of the International Paralympic Committee. He represented Britain in five consecutive Paralympic Games between 1972 and 1988, competing in athletics, basketball and swimming.