Approximately 1,100 athletes from 80 countries are expected to participate in the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships, to be held from 2 to 10 September in Assen, the Netherlands. The event will be one of the largest sport competitions for athletes with a disability after the Paralympic Games.

Media representatives from all over the world will cover the event. The deadline for the first phase of the media accreditation process has already passed. Representatives from genuine recognized media organizations, who still want to apply for accreditation in order to report from the World Championships, should contact the Local Organizing Committee at mailto:mpers@eurochamp.nl, visit the official website at http://www.wkatletiek.nl/ or fill in and send the attached accreditation form to pers@eurochamp.nl.

A Media Centre will be situated directly next to the competition venue with workspaces, computers and high-speed broadband Internet connections.  Transportation (shuttle busses) will be available from the official accommodation site to the venue. Please contact the Local Organizing Committee with requests for accommodation.

Kalanos International has been appointed Host Broadcaster and is
responsible for the production of high quality television coverage of all events on the programme. Broadcasters interested in receiving footage or having onsite presence at the World Championships should contact mailto:mpers@eurochamp.nl.

IPC's Official Photo Partner Prezioso Photography will also be onsite to cover the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships. Media organizations and other persons interested in purchasing photos from Prezioso should contact Lina Prezioso at mailto:mlina@prezioso.com.au.

Among other guests from the world of sport, media and politics, Her Royal Highness (HRH) Princess Margriet of the Netherlands will attend the Opening Ceremony and officially declare the Championships open. International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President Sir Philip Craven will also be present to welcome the athletes, volunteers and spectators. In addition to the sport
competitions, the Local Organizing Committee 'Euro Champ Foundation' will arrange several side events focussing on various groups in society, especially youth. Over 4,000 school children are expected to attend the competition and will have the opportunity to personally try various sports and disciplines at the venue.


For further information, please contact Miriam Wilkens, IPC Media and Communication Director on +49-228-2097-180, e-mail: miriam.wilkens@paralympic.org or http://www.paralympic.org/ or Organizing Committee press officer Alet Bouwmeester, e-mail: mailto:mpers@eurochamp.nl or http://www.wkatletiek.nl/.

About the IPC: The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the international governing body of sports for athletes with a disability and acts as the International Federation for 12 sports. It supervises and co-ordinates the Paralympic Summer and Winter Games and other multi-disability competitions, eg, World Championships. The IPC also supports the recruitment and development of athletes at a local, national and international level across all performance levels.

About the Euro Champ Foundation: The Euro Champ Foundation is an organisation speciliazed in organzing top sport events for people with a disability. Euro Champ is the Organizing Committee of the 2006 IPC Athletics World Championships and have previously organized numerous Open Athletics Dutch Championships, the 2003 IPC Athletics European Championships, the Invacare World Team Cup in Wheelchair Tennis and several International Table Tennis Tournaments.