The pictograms are the visual representations of each of the 20 Paralympic sports and disciplines and the pictograms will have a "way finding" role in helping spectators find venues at Games-time as well as helping to transform London from an Olympic city to a Paralympic city.

There is a genuine sense of excitement from the London 2012 organisers now that the date until the Paralympics begin has reached a significant milestone.

Paul Deighton, the chief executive of London 2012 told insideworldparasport: "Today is very important just to remind people that there are now only 1,000 days to go.

"Things are really moving on and the Paralympic Games in London will be an absolutely spectacular event, there is no doubt about that.

"I believe that through the Games, we can make a huge impact - through sport – for disabled people not just in London and Britain, but around the world and that is one of the real upsides of this project: to get people and people with a disability participating in sport."

Chris Holmes, the Director of Paralympic Integration for London 2012, said: "1,000 days is a hugely significant milestone and illustrates that we are we are moving ever closer to the Games.

"And it is fantastic to see London's skyline changing through because of the Games.

"We still have a heck of a lot of work to do but we feel we are where we would like to be at this stage and remain confident of putting on a spectacular Games."

Tanni Grey Thompson, Britain's most successful Paralympian with 16 medals, 11 of which are gold, revealed to insideworldparasport that today is a very significant day for the Paralympic movement because 1,000 days represent a relatively short period before the Games.   

Dame Tanni said: "With 1000 days to go, the Games feel tangibly closer. 

"The three years to go milestone seemed a fair distance away from the Games but 1,000 days mean that the countdown is now really on and highlights that 1000 days are all we have left.

"But with that, I think we are in tremendous shape and where we would like to be in reaching this milestone and I am convinced that London will host a truly phenomenal Paralympics that will raise the standard of Paralympic sport around the world."

In addition, to mark this milestone, a nationwide talent recruitment drive has been launched today by UK Sport, the English Institute of Sport and the British Paralympic Association (BPA).

A campaign of this size so close to a Paralympics is unprecedented and while it can take athletes up to eight years to reach an Olympic Games, research has shown that potential participants for a Games can be ready to compete at an elite level much sooner.

People with any form of impairment, who think they might have what it takes to become a Paralympic champion in London in 2012, should register their interest by January 11 by clicking here.

Also to celebrate today's landmark, British Airways pilots have been welcoming customers flying into London with an on-board announcement while flying over the Olympic Park.

The airline, which has created bespoke 1,000 days to go pin badges, has invited Paralympic gold medal-winning athlete Giles Long to deliver a motivational session to its staff on the importance of disability and Paralympians.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]