Paralympic World Cup Preview
8th May 2008The Norwich Union GB & NI team are looking forward to fine tuning their preparations for this summer’s Paralympic Games by competing on home soil at the Paralympic World Cup on Sunday 11 May.
Tim Jones, Director of Disability and Team Leader explains the importance of the competition, now in its fourth year:
“The Paralympic World Cup has been a prominent feature in our calendar for a number of years now. Out of a potential 160 events programmed for Beijing (across event groupings and classifications), this weekend’s programme for Athletics will cover 30 events.
“The event represents a fantastic opportunity to expose some of our younger athletes who are now supported by the World Class programme and aiming to qualify for their first Paralympic Games. We have selected 6 athletes that are 18 years old or younger, which highlights the young talent that is coming through.
“Competing in the World Cup, amongst others, will be a handful of Chinese athletes. Whilst this will be a taster for what we are likely to experience in Beijing, it provides no real clues into the strength of the Chinese Team we will face in September.
“I will be looking for athletes to rise to the occasion, show some good early season form, and make a strong statement through their performances about their aspirations for this important year”
Amongst the leading British athletes to look out for are three times Paralympic Champion Stephen Miller (Gateshead Harriers), who will be competing in the Club and seated discus. David Weir (Unattached) will be racing over 1500m and 400m in the T54 category, events at which he holds the World Record after another impressive victory in the London Marathon. Daniel West (Cambridge & Coleridge AC), aiming for his fourth Paralympics in Beijing will be competing in the seated shot put.
Chorley’s Michael Churm and Graeme Ballard will enjoy some home support in Manchester having already achieved the qualifying standard set for Beijing, both will race over 100m and 200m. Another home favourite will be 18-year-old Ian Jones (East Cheshire) racing over 100m and 400m.
Wheelchair Racer Shelly Woods (Blackpool & Flyde) aiming for her first Paralympic Games this summer will be doubling up over 800m and 1500m in Manchester. Katrina Hart (Birchfield Harriers) has withdrawn from the event due to injury and will be replaced by Hazel Simpson (Jarrow & Hepburn) who recently recorded the T36 qualifying standard for 100m at the BUSA Championships.
Victoria Silk (Ashford AC / Dwarf Athletics Association), Thomas Green (Marshall Milton Keynes) and Jenny McLoughlin (Wales FDSW) are new names to look out for on Sunday; all three young athletes will be making their GB & NI team debut. Silk will be competing in the F40 shot put, Green will be in the seated discus and McLoughlin will be racing over the 100m and 200m.
For further information and interview requests prior to the Paralympic World Cup or post competition in Manchester, please contact Hannah Hore at UK Athletics on 07917 424 566.
Norwich Union Great Britain & Northern Ireland Athletics Team:
Men
Brian Alldis (St Edmunds Pacers), T54 - 1500m/ 400m/ 100m
Graeme Ballard (Chorley AC), T36 - 100m/ 200m
Mickey Bushell (Birchfield Harriers), T53/54 – 100m
Michael Churm (Chorley AC), T37 - 100m/ 200m
Matthew Cliff (Liverpool Harriers), T12/13 - 100m/ 400m
Neil Fachie (Aberdeen AAC), T12/13 - 100m/ 400m
Thomas Green (Marshall Milton Keynes) - Seated discus
Jamie Harding (Blackheath & Bromley), T37 - 100m/ 200m
Ian Jones (East Cheshire), T44 - 100m/ 400m
Chris Martin (Mansfield Harriers) – seated discus
Stephen Miller (Gateshead Harriers), F32/51 – Club / seated discus
Kieron Murphy (Birchfield Harriers), F32/51 - Club
Karl Nicholson (Manchester Kestrals), T53/54 – 100m
Daniel Nobbs (British Wheelchair AA) - Seated Shot Put
Tushar Patel (Velocity Wheelchair Racers), T54 - 1500m
Richard Schabel (British Wheelchair AA), F32/51 – Club/ Seated Discus
Nathan Stephens (Wales FDSW) – Seated Shot Put
David Weir (Unattached), T54 - 1500m/ 400m
Daniel West (Cambridge & Coleridge / Notts AC) - Seated Shot Put
Andrew Williams (Wales FDSW) – Seated Shot Put
Women
Tracey Hinton (Cardiff AAC), T11/12 - 100m/ 200m
Beverley Jones (West Cheshire AC), F37/38 - Shot / Ambulant Discus
Jenny McLoughlin (Wales FDSW), T37 - 100m/ 200m
Kim Minett (City of Portsmouth), F40 – Shot Putt
Victoria Silk (Ashford AC/ Dwarf Athletics Association), F40 - Shot Put
Hazel Simpson (Jarrow & Hepburn), T36 – 100m / 200m
Anne Wafula-Strike (Harlow Running Club), T54 - 100m/ 200m/ 800m
Claire Williams (Carmarthen Harriers) – Ambulant Discus
Shelly Woods (Blackpool & Fylde), T54 - 1500m/ 800m