London 2012 to Stage a Further Five Paralympic Test Events

The London Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has announced plans to hold five final Paralympic test events before the London 2012 Paralympic Games, which begin on 29 August 2012.

The world class sporting events for Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Rugby, Archery, Boccia and Athletics, which take place between 18 April and 8 May, will test venue operations, spectator flows, workforce, security, the field of play, scoring, timing and results, and conclude the London Prepares series.

“We are now in the home straight and having staged 31 successful test events we are in a good position as we head towards the Games themselves,” said Debbie Jevans, London 2012 Director of Sport.

Tickets to Wheelchair Tennis and Paralympic Athletics will go on sale to the general public at 10:00 on 15 March, giving spectators the chance to see world class competition in Paralympic venues. Prices range from £3- £5 and are available via http://www.ticketmaster.co.uk/londonpreparesseries.

Access to Wheelchair Rugby, Paralympic Archery and Boccia will be allocated to local residents, members of National Governing Bodies and athletes’ friends and families.

Four Paralympic events (Boccia, Wheelchair Tennis, Wheelchair Basketball and Athletics) will take place in the Olympic Park over six days from 3-8 May, giving LOCOG the first opportunity to test the common domain and multiple venues at the same time.

Particular focus will be put on the events that take place concurrently on the Olympic Park on Saturday 5 May when the park will host up to 80,000 visitors over the course of the day going to Paralympic and Olympic events.

Olympic sponsors Visa and UK Sport continue to show their support for the London 2012 Games, with Visa sponsoring and UK Sport part-funding the Paralympic athletics event. As a proud sponsor of London 2012, Visa (debit, credit, prepaid) is the only card accepted for online ticket sales for these London Prepares series events.

Ticketed test events:

May 3-6 Eton Manor Wheelchair Tennis International, Eton Manor, Olympic Park. Tickets on sale for 5 May £3- £5

May 8 Visa London Disability Athletics Challenge, Olympic Stadium, Olympic Park. Tickets £5

Non ticketed test events:

Apr 18-19 London International Invitational Wheelchair Rugby Tournament Basketball Arena, Olympic Park.

May 3-6 London Para Archery International Tournament, The Royal Artillery Barracks.

May 5-7 London Boccia Invitational 2012, Basketball Arena, Olympic Park.

Notes to editors:

For further information please contact the London 2012 Press Office on +44 (0)203 2012 100 or visit the website at www.london2012.com.