A celebration event in Swansea’s Castle Square this Saturday will mark 100 days to go until Europe’s biggest para-athletics event, the IPC Athletics European Championships, comes to Wales.
Former javelin World Champion Nathan Stephens and track racer Richie Powell will be the elite athletes visiting Castle Square to see children and young people try out some fun athletics as the countdown continues to Swansea 2014.
Active Swansea and Swansea Harriers will have come-and-try opportunities in the city centre to promote the event and signpost youngsters to local sporting clubs.
It will also be a chance to promote tickets sales for the August event at Swansea University International Sports Village.
"Reaching milestones like 100 days to go is always really exciting because the competition is almost here," said Stephens.
"All the athletes I speak to are looking forward to it and training is getting more intense and focussed in preparation for the summer.
"The support we’re having from in and around Swansea is fantastic and something we’re getting used to from home events."
Swansea 2014 will take place at the Swansea University International Sports Village between 18th – 23rd August and will see around 600 of Europe’s best athletes compete for honours as they make their way to the Rio Paralympic Games in 2016.
The competition will feature a wealth of Paralympians, World Champions and record holders from over 40 nations.
Swansea 2014 has released around 15,000 tickets for the 5-day Championships, available both online at www.swansea2014.com and from local outlets. Priced at between £3.00-£7.00 per session, people from the city and athletics fans across the country can secure their place to witness action up close at morning and afternoon sessions.
Swansea University will host the event, creating an integrated venue and athlete village environment, supported by a strong Championship delivery team including Disability Sport Wales, Swansea Council, Welsh Government, British Athletics and Welsh Athletics.
Hosting training camps for both the Mexican and New Zealand Paralympic teams, Swansea has already shown its ability to deliver for disability sport in the build up to London 2012. Staging the Championships, planned for August 2014, will help build on this legacy and support Swansea University’s commitment as a leading sporting facility, and enhance the City and County of Swansea’s reputation as City of Sport and continue the City’s dedication to inclusive sport.
ENDS
Notes to Editors:
For further information about Swansea 2014 please contact;
Paul Batcup – 02920 338359
Swansea 2014 will be the 4th IPC Athletics European Championships having previously been held in Stadskanaal, Netherlands, Espoo, Finland and Assen, Netherlands. The Championships are expected to attract up to 1500 athletes, officials and visitors from across Europe.
Swansea University is a world-class research-led university located in beautiful parkland with views across Swansea Bay close to the Gower Peninsula, the UK’s first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The University was established in 1920 and currently offers around 350 undergraduate courses and 100 post-graduate courses to 14,500 undergraduate and postgraduate students. By 2015 the University will have a new Science and Innovation Campus to complement an upgraded Singleton Park Campus. Visit www.swansea.ac.uk . Swansea University is a registered charity. No. 1138342.
Disability Sport Wales
Disability Sport Wales is the lead organisation for the development of disability sport throughout Wales providing inclusive opportunities from grass root to elite level.
We are committed to transforming the lives of disabled people through the power of sport. For more information visit: www.disabilitysportwales.com
UK Athletics
UK Athletics is the national governing body of the leading Olympic and Paralympic sport in Britain. British Athletics is the sport we represent, the people, the athletes, the fans, the team.
We work closely with the home countries to develop and grow all areas of the sport including elite performance, coaching, major international events, competition and grassroots programmes within schools and clubs.
In 2013, Britain hosted two of the biggest IPC Para-athletics events in the world including the first ever Sainsbury’s IPC Grand Prix Final in Birmingham and the Sainsbury’s International Para Challenge at the sell-out Sainsbury’s Anniversary Games in the Stadium, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
For more information about the 2014 IPC Athletics European Championships go to www.swansea2014.com
