The World's Second Largest Sporting Event On TV

Mediacom-Release-NZ-On-Air

The World's Second Largest Sporting Event On Our Screens

New Zealanders will be able to go behind the scenes and see highlights from the second largest sporting event in the world, the Paralympic Games, which begin on 18 October.

"It's a huge event, second only in size to the Olympic Games. NZ On Air funding means the event can be brought to our screens and into all our homes," said NZ On Air Chief Executive, Jo Tyndall.

The Paralympics began in 1960 as an Olympic Games for athletes with disabilities. That year, 400 athletes from 23 countries competed. This year, the games will be held in Sydney, with a total of 4,000 athletes from 125 countries expected to compete.

"Many of the athletes in the Paralympics have overcome huge physical and emotional trauma through accident, surgery or birth defect, " said Ms Tyndall.

"To reach competition at the Paralympic Games is as important to them as it is for an able bodied athlete to compete at the Olympics.

"Paralympics 2000 will record the incredible determination of the athletes taking part. The courage, emotion and sheer joy of competing at this level will make compelling viewing," she said.

The six part series will feature highlights from the opening and closing ceremonies, and from the final day competition. As well as coverage of the events, the series will also contain short magazine style items featuring life at the Paralympics, New Zealand competitors and trends and technology in sport for athletes with disabilities.

NZ On Air has allocated $150,000 to Chas Toogood Productions to produce two one-hour programmes and four half-hour programmes on the Paralympics. The series will screen on TV One from October 19.

ends

For further information:

Jo Tyndall

Chief Executive

NZ On Air

Tel: (04) 382 9524

This media release is available on the Internet, at

http://www.nzonair.govt.nz

Paralympics 2000

$150, 000

2 x 1hour and 4 x half-hour programmes

Broadcaster: TV One

Producer: Chas Toogood, Toogood Productions

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