Warwick Conferences has once again shown its credentials of hosting world-class sporting events after it was announced as the host venue for the prestigious IBSA Visually Impaired Judo Grand Prix, ahead of the 2021 Paralympics.

Around 400 athletes, coaches and professionals will be attending the event, which is being run by British Judo and takes place between 19 and 20 June. The competition will be held at the multi-million-pound Sport and Wellness Hub, while all participants will be using the on-site accommodation throughout the weekend.

Adhering to strict Government guidelines, all of the spaces available at Warwick Conferences have had stringent safety measures put in place, with sanitation stations placed throughout the venue.

Tailored catering options will also be pre-planned by the Warwick Conferences team, to allow delegates to enjoy high-quality meals that fit their dietary requirements while they are competing.

With participants travelling from around 20 different countries, the Warwick Conferences team is working closely with the West Midlands and Warwickshire public health authorities to ensure safe travel of the athletes and running of the event. As an elite classified sporting event, all athletes in attendance will also carry out regular Covid-19 tests.

For added assistance, maps of the venue and floor plans with outlined routes that will be taken during the weekend will be provided to the team leaders, enabling them to ensure all athletes feel comfortable with the layout of the venue ahead of visiting.

Ben Pollard, Head of Marketing for British Judo, said: “When searching for a venue we were blown away by the fantastic facilities on offer at Warwick Conferences. It made it an obvious choice for the Visually Impaired Grand Prix in June, especially given the state-of-the-art sports arena. It was also excellent to be reassured of the stringent safety measures in place that will keep delegates safe as the wellbeing of our athletes and coaches is vital. It’s set to be a very exciting event, with Paralympic places still very much up for grabs so we are really looking forward to it.”

Paul Bartlett, Warwick Conferences Director, said: “It’s an honour to have been selected as the venue to host this prominent competition and the athletes here at Warwick Conferences during their stay. We can’t wait to welcome everyone and ensure the event runs smoothly with our team of event organisers on hand to help.”

The international event is the first of many world-class competitions being jointly hosted by University of Warwick and Warwick Conferences. In 2022, athletes competing in the Commonwealth Games will be staying at the venue, taking advantage of the facilities.