London,
28
May
2008
|
23:00
Europe/London

World class facilities for Paralympic athletes in Hackney

Hackney venues will be included in the London 2012 Official Guide for Paralympic Pre-Games Training Camps. This means the borough could host athletes training to take part in London’s Paralympic Games in 2012.

Venues are only included in the guide if they meet exacting international standards for infrastructure and accessibility for Paralympic sports.

The Hackney venues that have been selected for the guide are the Council’s flagship sports facility Clissold Leisure Centre, and Stoke Newington Secondary School. Together these venues offer wide-ranging, first class facilities for the sports of Goalball, Paralympic Judo, Volleyball (sitting), Wheelchair Basketball, Wheelchair Fencing and Wheelchair Rugby.

Hackney’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, Cllr Guy Nicholson, said the Paralympic Games are elite sports events for athletes with disabilities competing in many different sports, emphasising participation and achievement; “Hosting Paralympians here in 2012 will be a great inspiration for Hackney residents of all ages and abilities as they will be able to see first hand just what it takes to compete at Paralympic level. Hackney is already home to a Paralympic athlete, swimmer Dervis Konuralp, and we are keen to ensure that being a host borough for 2012 supports potential Paralympic talent as well as encouraging more people just to try a new sport or activity.”

Cllr Nicholson said; “Hackney is committed to enabling access and participation for people with disabilities; hosting Paralympic training camps will help create even stronger links with the disabled sports community and build on existing work to encourage sports for people with disabilities. This includes an annual Boccia tournament run by East End Sportsability, setting up a new Goalball club at Kings Hall Leisure Centre and providing volunteers for Key Disability Sports Days.”

The London 2012 Pre Games Training Camps Guide for Paralympic Sports will be circulated to all National Paralympic Committees. These organisations then decide where to base themselves or to send individual athletes to prepare and acclimatise for London 2012.

In addition to the Paralympic venues, Hackney has a number of facilities that will be included in the official Guide for Olympic Pre-Games Training Camps; meaning the borough could potentially host both Olympic and Paralympic athletes and their supporters in 2012.