Stoke Mandeville saw the seeds of Paralympic Games sown in 1948 when German neurologist Sir Ludwig Guttmann organised events for World War II veterans with spinal cord injuries who were rehabilitating at the local hospital.

The venue has since become a hub for Paralympic sport and Slovakia have become the latest country to choose Stoke Mandeville as their training base for the 2012 Paralympic Games, with Finland, Uganda, Papua New Guinea and Saudi Arabia all having already signed deals to stay there.

"Today is a very special day for Stoke Mandeville as the London 2012 Paralympics Games tickets go on sale and we feel a huge sense of pride that those Games would never have come about if it wasn't for what happened right here at Stoke Mandeville," said Martin McElhatton, chief executive of WheelPower who operate Stoke Mandeville Stadium.

"It is the perfect day to announce that Slovakia have become the latest country to use the world class facilities here ahead of the Paralympic Games.

"It was great to see so much enthusiasm building for the London Paralympics at International Paralympic Day in Trafalgar Square yesterday and I am sure with tickets now on sale, the public will really get behind the event and make these the best Paralympic Games ever."


The day also saw the medal ceremonies for an international archery competition at the venue that saw Britain's Mel Clarke (pictured) win gold in the women's event, while South Korea claimed victory in the men's competition.

In addition, Stoke Mandeville also launched the new Accentuate project, which is a London 2012 Legacy Programme for the South East.

The new initiative is an outdoor arts commission tracing the history of the Paralympic Movement from Rachel Gadsden and Mark Smith of Deaf Men Dancing.

Ian Barham, the Buckinghamshire manager for the 2012 Games, said: "This event demonstrates the significance of the venue as a centre for national and international disability sport, to highlight some of the excellent work that has been undertaken throughout the region over the past three years and will intensify over the next 12 months as we continue our preparations for the Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"With the year countdown to the London 2012 Paralympic Games underway, the event will showcase some of the achievements of the Buckinghamshire London 2012 and South East Partnership, as well as the wider Accentuate programme, and will provide guests with the opportunity to learn from a number of individuals who have played a key role in British Paralympic history."

The week has been a major boost for Paralympic sport with International Paralympic Day and the successful conclusion of the London 2012 Paralympic Chefs de Mission seminar today.

Tomorrow will see the Sainsbury's Super Saturday concert staged at Clapham Common to raise further funds for the Paralympics and International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven has expressed his delight.

"The excitement for next year's Paralympics has grown massively this week with many of the countries set to compete in 2012 coming together," he said.

"Our Chef de Missions now know what to expect in London and, thanks to a hugely successful International Paralympic Day, the British public also know what to expect when 20 Paralympic Sports are played here in less than a year's time."

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