Hug targeting at least one gold medal in Lyon

“I am focussed on doing my best performances in Lyon. Of course I would like to win at least one world title."

Swiss ‘Silver Bullet’ Marcel Hug, the world record holder in all T54 events from the 800m through to the 10,000m, is targeting at least one gold medal at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France which get underway on Saturday (20 July).

The 27 year old goes into the Championships on the back of last year’s Paralympics where he won two silver medals in the 800m and marathon. In Lyon he will compete in all T54 races from the 400m through to the marathon and will start his campaign on Saturday evening in the 10,000m, an event he is looking for his third consecutive world title in.

“I am focussed on doing my best performances in Lyon,” said Hug. “Of course I would like to win at least one world title.

“The 10,000m is not my favourite distance but one of them. All events from 800m upwards are my favoured event, but certainly not the 400m.”

Hug has a packed programme in Lyon and will hope to feature in the heats and finals of all events. On Sunday he will compete in the 400m whilst on Monday he will take part in the 800m. On Tuesday and Wednesday he will go for gold in the 5,000m which will be followed on Thursday and Friday by the 1,500m. Saturday 27 July will be his only rest day before he lines up on the last day of competition in the marathon.

At Friday’s press conference ahead of the Opening Ceremony, Hug spoke of his disappointment that his big rival David Weir of Great Britain, who won four golds at London 2012, is not competing in Lyon. He is though looking forward to renewing their rivalry at the next Paralympics.

“I was really happy to hear Dave Weir is still continuing through to Rio as it’s another chance for me to beat him in some good competitions and gives me good motivation,” said Hug.

So far Hug has been impressed by what he has seen in Lyon, and was delighted at the turn-out of media for the opening event.

“This Championship is very big, I like the atmosphere it’s very good and there are so many athletes.

“It’s great that since London there has been a big change in the media, unfortunately not in Switzerland, but it is slowly changing. I hope my performances here can help change this.”

The 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships opens this Friday (19 July) and will feature over 1,000 athletes from nearly 100 countries. It is the biggest gathering of international athletes since London 2012 and will be streamed live from Saturday morning via www.ParalympicSport.TV.

Live results can be found at the Lyon 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships website whilst updates and behind the scenes pictures can be found at twitter.com/IPCAthletics and facebook.com/IPCAthletics.

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Switzerland's Marcel Hug and France's Julien Casoli will form a top rivalry at the 2013 IPC Athletics World Championships in Lyon, France