Paralympic World Cup : LORD COE COUNTING DOWN TO BT PARALYMPIC WORLD CUP

With just five days until the start of the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup, Lord Sebastian Coe has spoken of his hopes for the GB and international athletes who will compete in Manchester.

The Chairman of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) has welcomed Football 7-a-side to the event for the first time and says this is a crucial opportunity for athletes ahead of 2012.

“There is no doubt that the BT Paralympic World Cup provides a significant stepping stone for many athletes aiming to compete in London and beyond. It is a place where they can raise their game, go beyond their personal best and test themselves against strong international opposition, providing them with vital preparation and a great showcase of sport for spectators,” said Lord Coe.

He continued, “I am delighted that Football 7-a-side gets a chance to increase its profile and give its players and support staff a key opportunity for international competition. I always enjoy watching the men’s and women’s Wheelchair Basketball teams and with the World Championships being hosted in Birmingham in July, this event will be a crucial test for the team.”

“Swimmers from across the world will once again be in action at the Aquatics Centre and here’s hoping for another strong start off the blocks. Athletics begins the week-long competition, where inspirational athletes such as South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius and home talent including David Weir, Shelly Woods and Ian Jones will be taking to the track and field as they look to set new personal bests. I wish all the competitors the best of luck.”

Athletes will compete at world class venues in Manchester: Wheelchair Basketball, Football 7-a-side and Athletics at the Manchester Regional Arena and Swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre.

Suzi Williams, BT Group Marketing and Brand Director, said, “The Paralympics is absolutely at the heart of BT‘s London 2012 involvement. That’s why we are so passionate about the BT Paralympic World Cup here in Manchester. In year two of our involvement and with South Africa just around the corner, I'm delighted to see the introduction of Football 7-a-side to our programme. There is nothing more important than supporting elite Paralympic sport on home soil and it’s a privilege to be welcoming athletes from all over the world for seven days of fantastic competition.”

British athletes will make up a large part of the contingent of nearly 300 athletes and ParalympicsGB Chief Executive Phil Lane said, “The BT Paralympic World Cup is a brilliant event and I know how much British athletes enjoy the chance to compete in front of a home crowd. The event also provides a rare opportunity for athletes to compete in a multi-sport environment, and as a result the event is a vital part of many athletes’ preparations in the build up to the Paralympic Games. I’m confident that this year’s event, with the new format and a new sport, will be a great success.”

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President, added, “On behalf of the International Paralympic Committee, I want to welcome athletes to the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup. I anticipate fair contests with skill, speed, and the joy of participation in the true spirit of Paralympic Sport. Your training has brought you here, and in each of your results you will experience your own triumph.”

For the first time this year, a team challenge has been introduced which sees Great Britain take on teams from the Americas, Europe and the Rest of the World, with athletes competing for the overall BT Paralympic World Cup trophy.

Nigel Dove, Director of Marketing at sponsor the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), said, “We are again delighted to welcome the BT Paralympic World Cup to the region and we extend a warm welcome to all competitors, officials and visitors, especially those from overseas. It is inspiring to see so many Northwest athletes participating and I would like to wish them the very best of luck and hope that competing on home soil and enjoying local support will give them an extra boost. This is a hugely prestigious event which makes a significant contribution to the Northwest economy and gives the region the opportunity to showcase its international quality facilities which have attracted so many major events here.”

Sir Howard Bernstein, Chief Executive of Manchester City Council said, “The BT Paralympic World Cup has become a mainstay of the city’s sports calendar and has had no small part to play in Manchester being recognised as one of the leading sports cities in the world. The event has had a huge impact on disability sports provision in the city, creating opportunities and raising awareness and we are extremely proud to have established one of the best disability sport programmes in the UK. As always, we extend a very warm welcome to all the teams competing in Manchester and wish them the very best of luck.”

The BBC, the official televised partner to the event, will broadcast live from the Manchester Aquatics Centre on Monday 31 May 2010 on BBC Television.

Dave Gordon, Head of Major Events, said “BBC Sport looks forward to once again bringing the BT Paralympic World Cup to the viewer and continuing to raise the profile of disability sport, something that we have a very proud tradition of doing.”

Tickets for the BT Paralympic World Cup are now on sale and can be purchased via the event website: www.btparalympicworldcup.com or by calling 0844 8471622. Tickets are priced at £6 per session.

BT is the title sponsor of the Paralympic World Cup; the sponsorship runs up to and includes the 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup.

The BT Paralympic World Cup is sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the Cerebral Palsy International Sports & Recreation Association (CPISRA) and the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) and supported by BT, ParalympicsGB, the FA, Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA).

The event schedule will see Athletics on 25 May, Football 7-a-side on 26-29 May and Wheelchair Basketball on 27-30 May, all at the Manchester Regional Arena and Swimming at the Manchester Aquatics Centre on 31 May.

Follow the BT Paralympic World Cup on Twitter: www.twitter.com/BTPWC

With just five days until the start of the 2010 BT Paralympic World Cup, Lord Sebastian Coe has spoken of his hopes for the GB and international athletes who will compete in Manchester.

This short video shows the highlights from the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup, the athletics, swimming, wheelchair basketball and track cycling. It gives a glimse as to what you might expect for this year's event, but just be sure this year you keep an eye out for some extra additions as well...

Mica Paris has kindly donated her track 'Hold On' to the event, which will this year be the official anthem so keep an ear open for it at the event.

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LORD COE COUNTING DOWN TO BT PARALYMPIC WORLD CUP

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