Paralympic Games: Seb Coe: Politicians can cope with being booed at

Published on 06/09/2012 01:35

Politicians are “brave enough” to cope with being booed at the Paralympics, Sebastian Coe said, as he defended asking ministers to take part in medal ceremonies.

Chancellor George Osborne and Home Secretary Theresa May were both jeered by spectators when they made public appearances at Paralympic events.

Lord Coe said it was common for political figures to become “the pantomime villain” at times in their careers.

He said: “I don’t think that we should read too much into that and I think it’s really important that politicians have been seen supporting the two greatest sporting events in our lifetimes.

“Politicians are bold enough and brave enough to know that sometimes that is the landscape that they are in.”

The reception given to Mrs May and Mr Osborne contrasted with enthusiastic cheers for other public figures, including the Earl of Wessex and former Olympian Tessa Sanderson.

Opposition leader Ed Miliband said: “The Paralympic crowd spoke for Britain.”