International Teams head to Stoke Mandeville Stadium

“This is a very exciting time for us and we’re all eager to get to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

The Saudi Arabian and United Arab Emirates Paralympic teams have arrived at the Stoke Mandeville Stadium for final preparations for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The Saudi Arabian Paralympic team, which made its Paralympic Games debut at the Atlanta 1996 Paralympics, has won a total of two medals to date. The three athletes and four officials arrived on 3 August and will train at the stadium for three weeks before leaving for the Olympic Village in London.

“Our teams have used Stoke Mandeville Stadium’s sporting facilities for many years now,” said Dr Nasser Al Saleh, Secretary General of the Saudi Arabian National Special Needs Sports Federation. “This is a very exciting time for us and we’re all eager to get to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”

On 4 August, 11 track and field athletes (seven male and four female), two male powerlifters and 21 officials from the United Arab Emirates’ Paralympic team descended on Stoke Mandeville Stadium. The United Arab Emirates Paralympic team has won a total of nine medals and made its Paralympics debut at the Barcelona 1992 Paralympics.

“We’re very much looking forward to training at Stoke Mandeville Stadium ahead of the long awaited London 2012 Paralympic Games,” said Majid Rashed, Secretary General of the NPC.UAE. “The stadium offers a high level of equipment and quality service. The athletes will find this training time extremely beneficial to their Paralympic preparations.”