With exactly one month to go until the start of the inaugural Paralympic World Cup, the two biggest sprint stars in elite sport for athletes with a disability, Marlon Shirley and Oscar Pistorius, have confirmed that they will twice go head to head at the brand new event in Manchester.
The news comes alongside another boost for the competition as Visa announces a three-year title sponsorship for the event.
Shirley from the USA won Paralympic gold in the 100m (T44) ahead of Pistorius in bronze, but finished with a silver medal when the South African produced an outstanding performance to win the 200m (T44) in 21.97 seconds.
Pistorius said “I am really looking forward to the top class competition provided through the much anticipated Visa Paralympic World Cup. Being able to renew friendships and, indeed, rivalries established at the Athens Paralympic Games is an added attraction to the competition.”
Shirley and Pistorius are just two of a host of elite disability stars like Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, Danny Crates, Sascha Kindred, Darren Kenny, Chantal Petitclerc and Natalie du Toit, who have also confirmed their participation in the Visa Paralympic World Cup.
Colin Grannell, Managing Director Visa UK said: “Visa is absolutely delighted to be associated with such an exciting sporting event and one that enables us to further extend our support of the Paralympic Movement. Visa is already a leading sponsor of the British Paralympic Association and the only global sponsor of the Paralympic Games. The Visa Paralympic World Cup provides a great opportunity to further raise the profile of these outstanding athletes.”
He continued: “Visa has long recognised that there is no differentiation between the commitment, dedication, ability and inspiration needed to become a top class Paralympian as compared to an Olympian. Indeed, it is an important facet of Visa Europe’s “Team Visa” athlete sponsorship programme that is open to both Paralympic and Olympic athletes alike.”
IPC President, Phil Craven said: “I’m delighted that Visa has decided to sponsor the Paralympic World Cup and continue its strong links with sport for elite athletes with a disability, following a successful association with the Paralympic Games and IPC. The three year deal can only add to the success and development of an event that is sure to be another highlight on the sporting calendar for athletes around the globe.”
Four disciplines will make up the inaugural Visa Paralympic World Cup: track and field athletics, wheelchair basketball, cycling (track) and swimming. Organisers hope that the event will help to raise awareness of elite sport for athletes with a disability and provide an annual competitive platform for athletes to complement the summer Paralympic Games, which is held every four years.
The timetable has been scheduled allowing spectators the opportunity to watch the action in all the sports being held over 4 days from Thursday 12th to Sunday 15th May 2005. The wheelchair basketball competition will be played on all 4 days; cycling (track) will be on Friday, swimming on Saturday and the event will conclude with the athletics on the Sunday.
The Visa Paralympic World Cup is also supported by UK Sport (through National Lottery funding), Manchester City Council and the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), is an IPC endorsed event and is hosted by the British Paralympic Association .
For further information, please contact: Steve Chisholm, Head of Media, Fast Track Events +44 207 593 5237 (m) +44 7765 223075
Editors note:
Tickets and event information can be obtained online by visiting the official website http://www.paralympicworldcup.com/