Christchurch All Clear for IPC Athletics World Championships

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch, New Zealand will go ahead next year as planned, despite an earthquake hitting the city earlier this month.

Following 4 September’s earthquake a full structural assessment of the Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Stadium, the venue of next January’s Games, has taken place. Engineers have given the stadium the structural ‘all clear’ and the facility is now open again to staff and essential services.

Christchurch City Council also reported that the Athletics track for competition and warm-up areas are in good condition and, although there are some localized areas of damage, these will not directly affect the competition.

Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “It is tremendous news that Christchurch will still host our World Championships in January and is another step in the city’s road to recovery. I would like to thank the Local Organizing Committee and other bodies involved in giving the event the green light so soon after the earthquake.

“I am proud that the IPC Athletics World Championships will be one of the first major sporting events to be held in the city after the earthquake and will play a key role in helping return the area to a state of normalcy.

“The Championships are one of the last major international gatherings of athletes before London 2012 and I believe Christchurch will witness some stunning performances from some great athletes.”

Taking place from 21-30 January 2011, the IPC Athletics World Championships are expected to see hundreds of athletes from around the globe compete.