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Beginning on July 27, 2012 the Olympics held in London, England will occur.  The summer Olympics will run July 27 through August 12, 2012.  During this time the top equestrians in the world can be seen competing in the the three disciplines of the United States Equestrian Federation (Show Jumping, Cross Country, and Dressage. On August 29, 2012 the 2012 Paralympics will occur showcasing the Para-Dressage competition.  The Paralympics will run August 29 through September 9, 2012.

Venue: Greenwich Park
Dates: Thursday 30 August – Tuesday 4 September 2012
Medal events: 11
Athletes: 78

About Greenwich Park
Greenwich Park is London’s oldest Royal Park, dating back to 1433. It has been a World Heritage Site since 1997. Within the Park is The Royal Observatory and the home of Greenwich Mean Time.

Greenwich Park includes the Old Royal Naval College and National Maritime Museum, which, together with Greenwich Park, are part of a World Heritage Site

A temporary Cross Country course is being designed for the Park, while a temporary main arena will also be built within the grounds of the National Maritime Museum.

To find out more about plans for the venue – and to have your say – visit our Greenwich Park mini-site, where you’ll find lots of information and an online form for you to give your views.
During the Games
Greenwich Park will host the Olympic and Paralympic Equestrian competitions, plus the combined running and shooting event of the Modern Pentathlon.

After the Games
The temporary structures will be taken down after the Games.

The Paralympic Games are an elite sports competition for athletes with physical and visual disabilities.  Held at the same venue as the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games are the second largest sporting event in the world.

In 2001, the U.S. Paralympics, a division of the U.S. Olympic Committee, formed to support athletes with physical disabilities through education, sports programs and partnerships with community organizations, medical facilities, and government agencies. U.S. Paralympics is making a difference in the lives of thousands of physically disabled people every day.

Many people ask the difference between the Paralympics and the Special Olympics.  The Paralympics are an elite competition for athletes with physical and visual disabilities only.  The Special Olympics are open to all competitors with cognitive and mental impairments.

In 2012, the United States Para-Equestrian Dressage Team will be on their way to qualify for the Paralympic Games.  Their last games at the 2008 Paralympics held in Hong Kong proved to be a successful competition for many of the Para-Equestrian athletes.

For more information about the Paralympics please visit the sites below:

U.S. Paralympics

London 2012 Paralympics

London 2012