Ipc Announces Paralympic GP Series
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced plans to create a series of grand prix Paralympic events to be staged in 2013, in a bid to form an elite series and build on the success on London 2012.
The series, which will take on a similar format to the Diamond League series, was revealed to be under consideration earlier this month. Six events will be brought together to create the elite series, with the first event to be staged in Dubai in March 2013 followed by Beijing, Sao Paulo, Grosseto (Italy), Arizona and Berlin.
Ed Warner, IPC and British Athletics chief Ed Warner commented: ‘Should the trial be successful then we will look at how we can expand these events in 2014 and beyond. These are great developments for the sport and we expect to make further announcements during the year.’
The events themselves already existed, but the IPC believes linking them as a series and raising organisational standards means they will attract the biggest names in Paralympic track and field.
Hannah Cockroft, Olympic wheelchair racer, said: ‘The fear after London 2012 for the athletes was that there was going to be a limited amount of motivation over the next four years. However, the grand prix events and the World Championships will give us plenty of chances to become the best in the world and keep the public interested.’
