Paralympic Medallists to Compete in Manchester

Competing in their first international test since the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, a total of 174 Paralympic medallists from around the world will be looking to continue the impressive form they showed in China as they arrive to compete at the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, Great Britain.

It will be one of the first competitions for elite athletes with a disability in the four years cycle leading up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games and is a great opportunity to begin their 2012 journey.

Manchester will play host to an impressive 63 medallists competing in Cycling in the Manchester Velodrome, 61 medallists swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre, the men’s gold and bronze medal-winning teams contesting the Wheelchair Basketball and 30 medallists participating in Athletics at the Manchester Regional Arena.

The President of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), Sir Phillip Craven, MBE, said: “After an incredible series of high level events at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Paralympians will come to Manchester for one of the biggest multi-sport competitions this year. The 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup once again sets the stage for record athletic performances on an elite level, and ultimately inspires and excites Paralympic fans around the world.”

The competition will be staged in Manchester from 20-25 May, with over 400 participants from over 31 countries scheduled to compete.

The Paralympic World Cup is sanctioned by the IPC, the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and the International Cycling Union (UCI), and supported by the British Paralympic Association, BT, UK Sport, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA). The BBC has again committed to cover the event as they continue to showcase sport for persons with a disability ahead of the Paralympics.