New Zealand name team for athletics World Champs

“Competing at international events such as these are vital on our road to Rio.”

Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) and Athletics New Zealand (ANZ) have announced the team for the IPC Athletics World Championships to be held in Lyon, France from 19 – 28 July.

18 year old Holly Robinson competed at the London 2012 Paralympic Games in the Women’s Javelin F46 and placed seventh at her first ever Paralympic Games. Robinson will take this experience to Lyon and hope to build on that success.

27 year old Rory McSweeney competed for New Zealand at the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championship in Christchurch where he finished eighth in the Javelin F44. McSweeney is looking to improve on this at the 2013 event with the help of experienced coach Raylene Bates, who is also coaching Robinson.

Malcolm Humm (High Performance Director, PNZ) said:

“Both PNZ and ANZ are excited about the selection of these two athletes to attend the World Champs in Lyon” he continues “competing at international events such as these are vital on our road to Rio.”

Athletics New Zealand High Performance Director, Scott Goodman said “Both Holly and Rory are experienced international athletes and we are expecting top performances from both of them on their path to the Rio 2016 Paralympics.”

The World Championships in Lyon, France will feature around 1,300 athletes from 90 countries and will be the first major gathering of international track and field stars following London 2012.

The majority of medal winners from London will be competing in Lyon as they start their preparations for the next Paralympic Games in Rio in 2016.