Beijing 2008 sold 1.8 million tickets, but interest prompted by the Olympic Games currently underway has pushed London 2012 to break the record.

Over 600,000 tickets were purchased in the last month, a landmark which has thrilled London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe.

"We are absolutely delighted with how the British public has responded so far to tickets for the Paralympic Games," said Coe.

"The Olympic Games have shown us that the United Kingdom has taken the Games to their heart and with the tickets sold so far and more still to come I look forward to even more people getting the chance to join in and to form memories that will last a lifetime."

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), said: "To have sold the most ever tickets for a Paralympic Games three weeks before the Opening Ceremony is absolutely fantastic and shows the insatiable appetite the public has for top class elite sport.

"Normally the busiest sales period for the Paralympic Games is once the Olympics have begun.

"The difference in London however is that ahead of the Games starting we had sold over 1.4 million tickets, giving us a great platform with which to build from.

"So far London has delivered a quite spectacular Olympic Games which has further whetted the appetite of the public ahead of the Paralympics.

"This combined with some superb LOCOG [London 2012] public relations and marketing activity, excellent Paralympic awareness campaigns [example below] from all sponsors and many broadcasters around the globe has resulted in the record demand for tickets.


"Our aim now is to sell every single ticket.

"It would be a fitting that when the Paralympic Movement returns to its spiritual birthplace in three weeks time it does so in front of packed sold-out venues."

British Paralympic Association (BPA) chief executive Tim Hollingsworth added: "We want everyone to get behind ParalympicsGB in the way they have behind Team GB – it will make a difference.

"We want the stadia to be packed to the rafters with British supporters.
 
"I can promise exhilarating sport in stunning venues with all our GB athletes ready to put it all on the line for our country.

"I know our athletes can't wait to compete in front of the biggest crowds ever at a Paralympic Games and we want them to be full of British fans."

The Paralympic Games begin on August 29.

Just 400,000 tickets have yet to be sold, with sports such as wheelchair fencing, sitting volleyball, boccia and powerlifting, which all take place at the ExCeL Centre, having good availability.

Tickets for the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the Paralympic Games are also still available.

Prices for tickets start at £5 ($8/€6) for youngsters and £10 ($16/€13) for adults, and can be purchased here. 

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