By Tom Degun in London

December 3 - Phil Lane (pictured), the chief executive of ParalympicsGB, today told insideworldparasport that 1,000 days to go until the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Paralympics signifies an increase in output for everyone involved in the staging the Games.

He said: "The 1,000 days to go until the London 2012 Paralympics is an extremely significant milestone for everyone at ParalympicsGB as well as everyone else involved in staging the Games.

"It's not as though we haven't prepared for it as we've been working hard on things since before Beijing but a milestone such as this really brings things into stark reality so there is a ramping up of things now which brings its own pressure.

"There is also the added pressure that this is a home Games which means that ParalympicsGB is more of a focal point for other agencies than ever before. 

"But as a major sporting organisation, pressure is something you learn to live with and ParalympicsGB are in a good place regarding where we would want to be with 1000 days to go."

Lane also revealed that there is still time for British people with a disability – who are not currently involved in sport – to compete at the London Paralympics by taking part in Talent 2012: Paralympic Potential - a nationwide talent search run by UK Sport, English Institute of Sport (EIS) and the British Paralympic Association.

He said: "Our Paralympic Potential Days have proved hugely successful in unearthing talent and there is still time to discover more talent ahead of London 2012.

"With 1,000 days to go to the Games, the window [to find the talent] is beginning to close; there is no doubt about that.

"But there is still time particularly for those with a disability who haven't yet realised fully what they are capable of doing."

Lane also insisted that ParalympicsGB's commitment remained focussed on other Paralympic sporting events int the run-up to London 2012, not least the Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympics, which yesterday celebrated its own milestone with 100 days to go.

Lane said: "While we may never top the Winter Paralympics medal table, winter sport is of huge importance to us as we look to send more and more athletes to compete at the Games and really look to make an impact as I don't know anyone who has seen Winter Sport up close and not been hooked.

"Let us not forget the Sochi 2014 Games or the Rio 2016 Paralympics either.

"They are still a major goal for us and are Paralympic Potential Days are targeted not just at 2012 but at 2016.

"And you can be sure that we will host more Paralympic Potential Days ahead of the Rio 2016 Games.

"But right now, we are happy to be celebrating a very tangible milestone.

"Although it brings great pressure for us, it also brings great excitement and while the competition will be as fierce as ever at the 2012 Games, we remain confident of a top two finish once again in the overall medal table like we achieved in Beijing."

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