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The Bolton-born president of the International Paralympic Committee has called for the word "​disabled"​ to be dropped from coverage of the London Games whilst praising the work of Atos, the company whose role in deciding if disabled people are fit for work has come increasingly under the spotlight. Sir Philip Craven, who has been president of the Bonn-based IPC since 1991, said it was time to re-examine the language used to describe Paralympians.

Craven said he could understand the Paralympics being used a vehicle to articulate wider concerns but said the IPC'​s involvement with the company had been "​very positive"​. "​All I can say is that we have a record over the last 60 or 65 years of being a fighter for the right causes. That'​s what we will continue to do. But where they seem to be very upset with this particular part of that company'​s organisation, our experiences within the Paralympic movement with Atos are very positive,"​ he insisted.

"​They have given us incredible help with the development of our new website. That isn'​t just people putting their expertise in, that'​s people working night and day and really giving of themselves to make sure the deadline was met."​

Full story in the Guardian.