3 September 2008

Before the Olympic flame went out in Beijing, Britain’s top disabled athletes were packing their bags for the Paralympics and en route to Macau and Hong Kong.

The squad of 36 athletes selected in June includes seven junior athletes making their Paralympic debut. There are four reigning Paralympic Champions amongst the squad; Stephen Miller (Club) and Kenny Churchill (Javelin) both bidding for their fourth consecutive titles, Danny Crates (800m) and Danny Greaves (Discus) both struck Gold for the first time in Athens.

The four wheelchair racers in the team travelled to Hong Kong for their holding camp, to train at the mondo track, a better training facility for wheelchair racers. The rest of the squad stayed in the Westin resort, Macau, the same hotel as the Olympic team a few weeks ago.

Over half of the athletics squad have now transferred to the athlete village and Beijing is geared up for another fantastic opening ceremony on Saturday night, with rumours that tickets are sold out.

Tim Jones, Team Leader commented on the final preparations:

"Macau and Hong Kong have become tried and trusted venues for our team in their final preparation for Beijing. We have undertaken a couple of dry runs, so the staff and athletes knew exactly what to expect. From that perspective, we have been extremely happy with the final countdown to the Paralympics.

"We’ve been able to mix first class access to excellent training facilities whilst staying at first class hotels. This package has been able to cater for our every need.

"Our athletes are now completely focussed on the job in hand and fully prepared to give of their best. I believe we can enter the Games confident that we will fully maximise the talent of our athletes."

The athletics programme gets underway on Monday 8 September, with some early medal chances in the Bird’s Nest stadium.

For further information on the athletes flying the flag at the Paralympics, download the biography PDF below.