Some of the world’s best Paralympians will be coming to the University of Warwick this weekend to appear in the third staging of the ‘Coventry Godiva Classic’.

The competition will start at the athletics track on campus on 19 July, where an impressive cast of 26 London 2012 athletes from both the UK and abroad, will compete in a series of challenges.

The weekend boasts faces such as double Paralympic champion Hannah Cockcroft, with many of the international elites using the event as warm up to the Commonwealth Games later this month. The competitors include the Australian Commonwealth Games team plus athletes from Holland, USA, Wales, Northern Ireland, Cornwall and the North East.

Carrying on the legacy of 2012, the ‘Classic’ provides an opportunity for local young athletes to experience their first competition.

Academy coach and event organiser, Job King, said:

“Our first Classic was in the lead up to the London 2012, a small, but successful evening competition that helped forge its reputation for fast times and a friendly welcome.”

“The meet isn’t just Paralympic sport, but a ‘Parallel Success’ competition embracing Godiva Kids, Club Sprinters, Midland & Warwickshire 3000m Championships....lot’s going on, all thanks to support from officials and volunteers who I hope will enjoy the experience as much as the athletes!”

Community members are welcome to attend with further details on the Coventry Godiva Harriers club website here

 

Further Information

The event will run from Saturday 19 July between 17:00 – 20:00 and continues on Sunday 20 July between 10:00 – 15:00.

Warwick’s University venue is now recognised as one of the four UK centres for wheelchair racing excellence, and on Saturday 19th July, the competition will also see the opening of its dedicated wheelchair training and storage centre. Thanks to a series of charitable donations, the Academy will take possession of five new racing chairs specially modified to allow local youngsters to trial the sport for the first time.

The athletics fixture, supported by the Sports and Play Construction Association (SAPCA), is developing into a showcase competition for wheelchair racers in the UK. The growing significance of this annual meeting is illustrated by British Athletics listing the fixture as the final opportunity for GB athletes to set qualifying marks for the IPC European Athletics Championships in Swansea at the end of August.

17 July 2014