The BT Paralympic World Cup in May

 

Great Britain were victorious in the
2011 competition © BT

The BT Paralympic World Cup will take place in Manchester from 22-26 May 2012. The best elite international athletes will descend upon Manchester to compete in this crucial build-up event just 100 days before the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

This year’s event will include Wheelchair Basketball, Athletics and Football (7-aside), with international matches taking place in Boccia and Sitting Volleyball during the event.

Channel 4, the London 2012 Paralympic Games host broadcaster, will provide multi-platform coverage of the BT Paralympic World Cup for a second year, compounding its commitment to raise awareness of Paralympic sport.

Tim Hollingsworth, CEO of the British Paralympic Association, commented: “The BT Paralympic World Cup continues to form a major part of the British and international disability sport calendar, drawing competitors from across the world to Britain to test themselves in a world-class sporting competition. This year it will undoubtedly form a big part of many athletes’ preparations for the London 2012 Paralympic Games and will be a great opportunity for the British public to show their support for British athletes in advance of the Games.”

Swimming has been involved in the BT Paralympic World Cup since its inception in 2005, however, due to scheduling issues for the British team it will not be included in the 2012 event.

John Atkinson, National Performance Director of British Disability Swimming, said: "The BT Paralympic World Cup has always been an exciting event that was part of our calendar. However, with the build-up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games our calendar has been structured differently. We worked with the event organisers to find an alternative date but unfortunately the timing of the BT Paralympic World Cup doesn't fit with the preparations that we are making for the Games so we are no longer participating in this competition.

The team concept, introduced in 2010, is returning for a third year and will see athletes from Great Britain take on teams from the Americas, Europe and the Rest of the World across the sports. The current BT Paralympic World Cup defending champions are Great Britain.

The Manchester Regional Arena will host all the sporting action at the 2012 event, with sport schedules and ticket details to be announced in February.

REHACARE.de: Source: IPC