LATEST NEWS
To view archived news click here

08 May 2012
Snowboarding: Paralympic Inclusion Boost For Murphy
World-ranked snowboarder Carl Murphy (33), of Lake Hawea, has a Paralympic gold medal in his sights.

The International Paralympic Committee has announced his sport has been included in the 2014 Paralympic Winter Games in Russia.

Murphy is ranked second in the world in adaptive snowboard cross and is regarded by coach Adam Dooney, of Wanaka, as a gold medal prospect.

He is already a member of the New Zealand snowboard team and has long dreamed of competing at Paralympic level.

"This is such good news for para-snowboarding as a whole," Dooney said.

"I am most excited for our riders. Paralympics New Zealand could send at least two riders to this event and with Carl currently ranked second in the world, we have a real shot at gold for New Zealand."

Murphy said the announcement "means everything to me".

"It has been my lifelong dream to compete in the Paralympic Games and represent New Zealand at the highest level," he said.

"I started competing five years ago and I am now No 2 in the world. I have no doubt I am capable of achieving gold in 2014.

"I know it's going to be very tough, with the high level of riders coming through the ranks, but I am confident with where I am now and will be working full steam ahead over the next 22 months to get myself into a position where I will be a realistic medal chance for the Sochi Games."

Murphy was second at the world championships and fourth at the X-Games in North America earlier this year.

He works as a draughtsman and trains almost fulltime at Cardrona Alpine Resort in the winters.

"It is always a bit of a balance.

"Being a disabled snowboarder, there is not a lot of funding. You still have to work. I train three or four mornings a week and work in the afternoons."

Murphy is a below-the-knee amputee and uses a prosthetic.

He was born with a congenital defect in his right leg, resulting in the removal of his lower limb.

New Zealand representatives on the World Snowboard Federation committee have long lobbied for the inclusion of snowboarding as a Paralympic sport.

Wanaka hosted the world para-snowboard championships in 2009 and a world cup event during the Winter Games last year.

- Otago Daily Times


07 May 2012
Gold and Silver Medals for New Zealand Shooter at IPC Shooting World Cup
New Zealand shooter Michael Johnson who has won gold in the R4 10m Air Rifle Standing at the IPC Shooting World Cup in Turkey with a score of 705.1. This follows on from his silver in the Falling Target event last week.

Johnson was followed by Slovenia's Gorazd Tirsek (second) with a score of 703.4 and Great Britain's Richard Davis (third) with a score of 701.9 in the R4 10m Air Rifle Standing event.

This event included was highly competitive with 29 competitors from 25 countries.

With two medals under his belt, Mike is on track with his build up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. He will now head to Hanover, Germany to compete in the ISFCH Event.

- Paralympics New Zealand


03 May 2012
Para-Snowboard Included in Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) has announced that two medal events in Para-Snowboard will be included in the Alpine Skiing programme at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

This brings to 72 the number of medal events at the Sochi 2014 Games and is the first time that Para-Snowboard events have been included in the Paralympic programme.

Originally called Adaptive Snowboard, the sport is practiced worldwide by hundreds of athletes.

Xavier Gonzalez, the IPC’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “Snowboard is a fast paced and extremely exciting sport and we are delighted that it will form part of the Alpine Skiing programme at the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games.

“I would like to thank Sochi 2014, NPC Russia , Russian Government, the World Snowboard Federation and the IPC Athletes’ Council for all supporting the inclusion of these two extra medal events.

“It is important for the growth of the winter Games that there are more sports and more medal events to contest. I am particularly looking forward to see how athletes perform in this exciting new discipline and believe it will prove extremely popular with spectators and TV viewers alike.”

Dmitry Chernyshenko, President of the Sochi 2014 Organizing Committee, said: “Snowboarding is a young and exciting sport and one which is attracting new audiences and participants everywhere.

“Its inclusion in the Paralympics programme will give a further boost to the promotion of Paralympic sports across Russia and highlights the opportunities that sport provides to everyone. It also reflects our determination to deliver the most innovative and successful Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in history.”

Gunnar Tveit, World Snowboard Federation (WSF) President, said: “The WSF are thrilled by the decision to include Para-Snowboard in the Paralympic programme of the Sochi 2014 Winter Games. Together with the IPC, the WSF National Snowboard Associations, and riders, we have been working towards this goal for the last six years.

“Knowing that the riders will have the chance to compete in the sport they love in 2014 is rewarding not only because the athletes will be recognized for their hard work but also because the inclusion of Para-Snowboard in the Sochi 2014 Winter Games will provide an unprecedented level of exposure to the sport.”

In February this year, Orcières 1850, France hosted a two day World Championships featuring 40 Para-Snowboarders from 10 countries.

Gold in the men’s standing class was taken by the USA’s Evan Strong who finished ahead of New Zealand’s Carl Murphy and fellow American Mike Shea. The women’s gold was won by Bibian Mentel of the Netherlands, whilst silver and bronze went to USA’s Amy Purdy and Italy’s Sara Dorigatti respectively.

February’s event also included the sitting category for the first time, which is contested by riders with physical impairment such as paraplegia and bilateral lower extremity amputation.

The Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will take place between 7-16 March 2014. Also included in the Alpine Skiing programme are Downhill, Super G, Super Combined, Giant Slalom and Slalom events. Nordic Skiing will see a number of Biathlon and Cross Country events contested whilst other medal events will take place in Ice Sledge Hockey and Wheelchair Curling.

The qualification criteria for the Sochi 2014 Paralympic Winter Games will be published on Monday 28 May 2012.

Vancouver, Canada staged the last Paralympic Winter Games in 2010. The event featured 502 athletes from 44 countries who contested 64 medals. Germany topped the medals table winning 13 golds.

For further information, please visit www.sochi2014.com

- International Paralympic Committee


03 May 2012
Silver Medal for New Zealand Shooter at IPC Shooting World Cup
New Zealand has made a great start at the 2012 IPC Shooting World Cup Turkey, with Michael Johnson winning Silver in the Falling Target Riffle (SH2) event after a close semi and final round.

After 3 heats, 4 shooters went into the finals - Viktoria Wedin (SWE), Andreas Schafers (GER), Gorazd Tirsek (SLO) and Michael Johnson (NZ). After the second string of the finals, Johnson, Wedin and Tirsek all had 10 points, which forced a shoot off. Wedin missed the target, and Johnson and Tirsek both making theirs. There was a second shoot off between the two leaders, this saw Slovenian Tirsek taking the point and placing 1st.

This was a great start for Mike who hasn’t shot in the Falling Target Riffle (SH2) event for a number of years and puts him in good stead for a great performance over the coming days.

Friday will see Mike compete in the R4 event.

- Paralympics New Zealand


03 May 2012
Glasgow 2014 to Stage Biggest Ever Commonwealth Para-Sport Programme
The Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Organizing Committee has unveiled its Sport Programme which features the biggest ever number of Para-Sport medal events in the history of the Games – 22 in total.

A total of 256 medal events covering 17 sports will be contested in Glasgow between 23 July and 3 August 2014, and within this will be 22 Para-Sport medal events spanning five sports.

The five Para-Sports included in the Glasgow programme are athletics, swimming, powerlifting, lawn bowls and for the first time track cycling, which will take place at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome.

With the exception of track cycling, the four other sports made their Commonwealth Games debut as fully integrated medal events in Manchester 2002 however, lawn bowls has not featured at the last two Games.

David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014's Chief Executive, said: "Following the completion of the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) Sports Programme Review, Glasgow 2014 is delighted to announce a final Sports Programme which is true to our vision of delivering an outstanding athlete centred and sports focused Games for Scotland that is on time and on budget.

"I'm delighted that in delivering 17 sports over 11 days of competition we have been able to increase our commitments to competition and medal opportunities by offering greater opportunities for female and Para-Sport athletes and I'm especially proud that Glasgow 2014 will offer more events and medal opportunities for Para-Sport athletes than any Commonwealth Games in history."

Sir Philip Craven, President of the International Paralympic Committee, said: "It is tremendous news that Glasgow will host more Para-Sport events than any other previous Commonwealth Games and underlines the growth and popularity of Para-Sport at all levels.

"To have 22 Medal events included in the Games in 2014, just two years after London, will ensure that Commonwealth athletes can continue to perform on the big stage in front of thousands of spectators."

The 22 medal events will include:

Athletics (six medal events)

• Men’s 100m T37
• Men’s 1,500m T54
• Men’s discuss F42/44
• Women’s 100m T12
• Women’s 1,500m T54
• Women’s long jump F37/38

Swimming (six medal events)

• Men’s 100m freestyle S9 (S7/S8 eligible)
• Men’s 200m freestyle S14
• Men’s 200m individual medley SM8 (SM7 eligible)
• Women’s 100m freestyle S8 (S7 eligible)
• Women’s 100m breaststroke SB9 (SB8 eligible)
• Women’s 200m individual medley SM10 (SM9 eligible)

Powerlifting (four medal events)

• Men’s lightweight - division of weight categories to be determined by IPC
• Men’s heavyweight division of weight categories to be determined by IPC
• Women’s lightweight - division of weight categories to be determined by IPC
• Women’s heavyweight division of weight categories to be determined by IPC

Track Cycling (four medal events)

• Men’s 1,000m time trial B tandem
• Men’s sprint B tandem
• Women’s 1,000m time trial B tandem
• Women’s sprint B tandem

Lawn Bowls (two medal events)

• B2/B3 Mixed Pairs
• B6/B7/B8 Open Triples

- International Paralympic Committee


03 May 2012
London 2012: Nomination Criteria Ratified For Cycling
Paralympics New Zealand and BikeNZ are pleased to advise that the Cycling nomination criteria for the London 2012 Paralympic Games has been ratified by the PNZ Board.

To view the nomination criteria click here.

- Paralympics New Zealand


01 May 2012
Paralympics New Zealand Finalists In The Event Excellence Award
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) was a finalist of the Event Excellence Award at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards last night in Rotorua. The position of finalist acknowledged PNZ’s organisation of the 2011 IPC (International Paralympic Committee) Athletics World Championships. Chief Executive of Paralympics New Zealand, Fiona Allan, was delighted with the result.

“We were thrilled to be finalists alongside such high calibre events and organisations. The team at PNZ, the event local organising committee and the team of volunteers worked very hard to deliver the best possible event for over 1100 athletes from 73 countries and their supporters”.

She continues, “This was the last major qualifying event for the 2012 Paralympic Games in London and as a result the event attracted international athletes of an extremely high caliber with many outstanding results, including 57 World Records and 173 Championship Records.”

The judging panel included Sir Wilson Whineray, chair of the judging panel; former Sport Canterbury CEO, Olympian and Coach, Selwyn Maister; NZ Community Trust Chairman, Peter Dale; ANZ Head of Sponsorship, Sue McGregor; respected sport administrator, Sir John Wells; and Sport NZ Chief Executive, Peter Miskimmin.

Paralympics New Zealand congratulates Hockey New Zealand, winners of the award for the successful running of the Owen G Glenn FIH Champions Trophy as very worthy winners.

The other finalist in the Event Excellence category was the AIMS Games with NZCT AIMS Games National Sporting Championships.

- Paralympics New Zealand


01 May 2012
Wheelchair Rugby Comes To Tauranga
Bay of Plenty residents will no longer have to travel to Hamilton to compete in wheelchair rugby with the introduction of a national tournament in Tauranga.

The first leg of New Zealand Rugby Foundation Wheelchair Rugby Competition starts at the TECT Arena in Baypark on May 12.

The Paralympic sport is new to the region and holding the competition is the first step in solidifying the sport’s presence in the BOP, says Parafed BOP CoachForce development officer Sophie Jackson.

Players previously had to travel as far as Hamilton to play in a Waikato Club and Sophie says localising the sport will provide local players with a stronger hunger for the game.

“We are developing the sport locally with a vision of becoming a really competitive region.

“Hosting a tournament like this gives local players the best environment to test their mettle against experienced players from around the country and hopefully develop a hunger for more.”

The tournament is being run along-side Parafed ‘Have a Go Days’ on Friday and Saturday, May 11 – 12.

On these days people with physical disabilities can wet their appetite in range of sports from blow-karting and wheelchair basketball to rugby, table tennis and boccia.

“We have been working hard in the Bay Of Plenty community to establish networks and programmes to cater for people with all sorts of physical disability.

“Now is our chance to show them off and make sure people are making the most out of what’s on offer.”

For more information phone Sophie on 027 PARAFED or email sophie@parafedbop.co.nz.

- Sun Live, The Bay's First News


30 Apr 2012
Disability Sport Coordinators - Halberg Trust
Exciting new Sport Development opportunities with one of New Zealand’s leading Charitable Trusts

Visit the Halberg Trust website for position descriptions and application details for the new Disability Sport Coordinators positions. Applications close 11 May 2012.

To read more click here.

- Halberg Trust


28 Apr 2012
Christchurch Airport Marathon Features Elite Wheelchair Athletes
Christchurch City Council announced today that two elite wheelchair athletes will compete in the new Christchurch Airport Marathon course on Sunday 3 June 2012.

Ben Lucas, who competed in wheelchair racing at two Paralympic Games and was awarded the Bronze Medal for the wheelchair marathon at the 1994 Commonwealth Games, is coming out of retirement to take on the Christchurch Airport Marathon 10km wheelchair event.

Matthew Lack, a rising star in New Zealand wheelchair racing has also signed up to compete in the 10km wheelchair event. At the age of 20, Matthew already holds a number of New Zealand records and he hopes to compete at the Paralympic Games in London later this year.

Council Recreation and Sports Unit Manager John Filsell says this year is all about getting people, who haven’t participated in marathon events in the past, to give it a go.

“Having elite wheelchair athletes like Ben and Matthew competing shows that the event is for people of all abilities. They are world class athletes and it’s very exciting to have them involved in this event,” he says.

To sign up for a Christchurch Airport marathon event visit www.christchurchmarathon.co.nz.

- Scoop


27 Apr 2012
Rachel Up For Gold, Lock, Stock and Saddle
Country99 TV interview Rachel Stocks at her Pokeno stables, before she heads over to Germany to start intensive training for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Watch the video YouTube.

- Country99


24 Apr 2012
ParaFed Waikato Air Rifle Shooting Championships - Results
The ParaFed Waikato Air Rifle Shooting Championships were held in Hamilton on Saturday 21st April 2012.

To view the results click here or view photos from the event on Facebook.

- ParaFed Waikato


24 Apr 2012
Do You Want To Learn To Row - Hamilton
ParaFed Waikato and the Hamilton Rowing Club is excited to invite anyone wanting to ‘learn to row’ to join them on the Waikato River for a total of eight weeks.

ParaFed Waikato will subsidise the cost for its members. Enrolments close on the 8th May 2012.

Check out the flyer below and all the details.

  Do You Want To Learn To Row - Hamilton

- ParaFed Waikato


23 Apr 2012
New Zealand National Boccia Championships
The New Zealand National Boccia Championships will be hosted by ParaFed Canterbury at the Graham Condon Centre in Christchurch between the 26th - 28th October 2012.

For more information download the registration form below or contact Kerry Jenkinson on 03 385 4449 or kjenkinson@parafedcanterbury.co.nz

  National Boccia Championships - Registration Form

- Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand


23 Apr 2012
Sailing Have A Go Day - Wanaka
A new initiative to introduce more people with disabilities to the sport of sailing was trialled at the Wanaka Yacht Club on Friday.

Twelve sailors with disabilities and their families attended the free `have a try' sailing afternoon, which involved three different types of sail boats – the Noelex 22, Etchell and the Access 2.3 dinghy. The Access 2.3 dinghy is especially designed for people with a physical disability.

Yachting New Zealand Disabled Sailing co-ordinator Kristine Lederis said the club had several disabled sailors.

She said there was a growing need countrywide for people with disabilities to get into the sport.

"We want to lift the activity in Wanaka ... We're looking to get more training opportunities and ongoing sailing at a high level."

Ms Lederis said the `have a go' event would lead to a formalised programme.

Wanaka adaptive recreation coach Craig Harding was starting up a nonprofit multisport programme for people with disabilities and his programme would include sailing, she said.

"Feedback was really positive. There were a couple of families that are keen to get involved and Craig will be connecting with them to get the ball rolling even quicker on this project."

Eight sailors from Queenstown, Wanaka, Te Anau and Christchurch took part in a two-day Yachting New Zealand Paralympic Classes Development Clinic in Wanaka yesterday and Saturday.

- Southland Times


21 Apr 2012
North Island Boccia Championships
The North Island Boccia Championships to be held at the Allan Brewster Centre in Papatoetoe, Auckland on the 9th - 10th June 2012.

This will be the first Boccia New Zealand Tournament for 2012 in which players looking to be selected for the development / high performance squads can earning ranking points.

This also doubles as a great chance to see the best boccia athletes in New Zealand and a fantastic opportunity to learn more about this wonderful game.

For more information download the registration form below or contact Luke Morriss on luke@cpsociety.org.nz

  North Island Boccia Championships - Registration Form

- Cerebral Palsy Society of New Zealand


21 Apr 2012
Para-Cyclists Return From The Sunshine Coast
A team of four para-cyclists have returned from a successful event competing in the Australian Para-Cycling Road Nationals held on the Sunshine Coast.

Sue Reid (class H3) and Tiffiney Perry (class H2) placed first in both the women’s road race and women’s time trial events in their respective categories. Brendon Stratton (class H3) placed 2nd in the both the men’s road race and men’s road time trial, while Jon Nelson (class H3) placed 3rd in the men’s road time trial and 4th in the men’s road race.

Coach John Rich was happy with the team's results, in particular Reid and Stratton who both achieved a PNZ Cycling "A Standard" in their road time trial events.

The para-cyclists next competition is the Bike New Zealand Club Road Nationals being in Hawkes Bay between the 3rd – 6th May 2012.

For a full set of results and photos visit www.cycling.org.au/default.asp?ID=46226

- Paralympics New Zealand


20 Apr 2012
PNZ Athlete Images
Some amazing images of Paralympics New Zealand athletes captured by Hannah Johnston of Getty Images.

     

To view more images visit www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150666061372282.383738.262366857281&type=1

- Paralympics New Zealand


18 Apr 2012
Junior World Record For Robinson
Taieri College schoolgirl Holly Robinson holds the F46 junior world record in the shot put.
She received official notification that her performance in Bottrop, Germany, last year was an F46 junior world record when she returned home from the Australian championships at Melbourne on Monday night.

Robinson was competing in a series of international meetings with the New Zealand team in Europe.

That distance was 9.83m. But she has thrown better than that this season.

"We will be applying to have the 10.15m she threw at the New Zealand championships in Auckland last month recognised, as well," her coach, Raylene Bates, said yesterday.

"Getting recognition is a boost for Holly's morale. It showed that she can foot it with the best athletes in the world."

At the championships in Melbourne last weekend Robinson was third in the shot put with a throw of 9.67m.

Her best performance was in the F46 javelin, in which she finished runner-up, 2m behind world champion Madeline Hogan (Australia).

Robinson threw 31m.

This was significant because it is the only Paralympic event in her class and she is trying to make the New Zealand team for London.

Robinson is ranked fifth in this event with her throw of 34.08m at the Otago and Southland secondary school championships in Invercargill.

Early indications point to New Zealand taking no more than three athletes to the London Paralympics.

The top-ranked athlete is London-based blind athlete Tim Prendergast, who is the world record-holder in the 1500m.

Robinson is second in line for a trip to London and another Bates-trained athlete, Jessica Hamill, is ranked third.

Hamill's best throw of 7.43m in the shot put ranks her seventh in the world. She was third in Melbourne with a throw of 6.89m.

Robinson, an arm amputee, moved from her home in Hokitika to Dunedin last year to train with Bates. She was born with a left arm shortened just below the elbow.

Robinson first competed in athletics aged 12 and made her international debut in the world championships in Christchurch last year, when she finished fifth in the javelin and seventh in the shot put.

Two other Bates-trained athletes competed in Melbourne. Jerram Huston threw his best distance of the season when he finished eighth in the shot put with 14.80m and Marshall Hall was seventh in the discus with 54.02m.

It was a personal-best throw by 24cm for Hall, who has won the New Zealand senior men's title for the last four years.

- Otago Daily Times


16 Apr 2012
Kiwi Swimmers Tipped To Win Gold
With the London 2012 Paralympic Games just around the corner, TV One's Breakfast caught up with Cameron Leslie and Sophie Pascoe - two Kiwi swimmers hotly tipped to win Gold medals having just smashed world records in Sheffield.

To watch the video click here.

- TVNZ


15 Apr 2012
Equestrian Rider Overcomes Incredible Odds
Rachel Stock rides through excruciating pain to represent her country at the London 2012 Paralympic Games - Rachel featured on TV One's Sports News over the weekend.

To watch the video click here.

- TVNZ


12 Apr 2012
New Zealand Equestrian Team Named For London 2012 Paralympic Games
Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ) and Equestrian Sports New Zealand (ESNZ) have today named the first two athletes to represent the nation at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

The Paralympics will be held straight after the London Olympics, running from August 29 through to September 9.

Para dressage riders Rachel Stock (Pokeno) and Anthea Gunner (Rangiora) are the first New Zealand equestriennes to make the Paralympics in 8 years, since Jayne Craike at Athens in 2004.

More sports are set to release selections over the next couple of months, with the entire team named at in early July.

Chief Executive of Paralympics New Zealand, Fiona Allan, was delighted to announce the first team members.

“With just 139 days to go until the opening of the London 2012 Paralympic Games it is fantastic to have our first athletes selected,” she said.

“The Paralympic Games are the pinnacle of Paralympic sport globally and I have no doubt Rachel and Anthea will do all of New Zealand proud when they take on the world in London.”

For grade three para dressage rider Rachel Stock getting the official nod to go to the London Paralympics is the first credible step in her dream of “actually bringing home that medal”.

The 40-year-old mother of two from Pokeno has been years in working towards her ultimate goal.

“New Zealand is giving us every opportunity, and now it is down to Ricky (her horse Bates Rimini Park Emmerich) and I,” said the woman who made history in the 2010/2011 season winning every New Zealand para championship title, a feat she repeated for the 2011/2012 season.

“I have immense confidence that Ricky will bring home a medal.”

And she’s not just chasing any medal – it’s gold all the way.

“Just how good he is was reiterated by top FEI judges recently which has made me dig deeper and try so much harder. He just continues to improve every day.”

That’s saying something when his marks are already cracking 70% making her a good medal prospect.

“This announcement brings immense pride and happiness to us all.”

 Rachel Stock

Anthea Gunner is still coming to terms with being officially named in the New Zealand team.

The 30-year-old from Rangiora, who was injured in a horse accident in 2006, has had a rapid rise to the top. After being paralysed from the waist down she bought her horse Huntingdale Incognito in late 2007 and started competing in early 2008.

The former eventer and showjumper is thriving in the world of para dressage where she competes at grade two level.

“I was never going to give up horses, and once I started riding again, I realised that maybe I could compete again and it has just grown from there.”

Such is her love of horses that she – and fiance of seven years Aaron Dixon – shelved wedding plans a couple of years ago, and put in a dressage arena instead.

It’s paid big dividends for the couple.

Gunner and her horse Incognito headed to Australia late last year and produced more sterling results.

“He handled it like a pro and since then our marks have just kept on going up. To be named is just amazing. I knew we had done all that we needed to but just didn’t really think it would happen!”

 Anthea Gunner

- Paralympics New Zealand


11 Apr 2012
ParaFed Waikato Air Rifle Shooting Championships
ParaFed Waikato is hosting the Waikato Air Rifle Shooting Championships on the 21st of April. This is the second time they have hosted this indoor range competition incorporating both standing and prone positions.

To download the entry form click here.

- ParaFed Waikato


11 Apr 2012
One Leg, One Boat, One Goal - London 2012
New Zealand adaptive double scullers Gavin Foulsham and Jacque Courtier share their journey towards the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

To read their blog click the link http://gavinfoulsham.blogspot.co.nz/


11 Apr 2012
Records Galore For Paralympic Swimmer Pascoe
Christchurch swimmer Sophie Pascoe has secured her place in the New Zealand London Paralympic team with a series of world record-breaking performances in England.

Pascoe, 19, set three world marks and had three other best times at the British Disability championships in Sheffield which was a qualifying meeting for New Zealand Paralympic swimming hopefuls. All that is required now is official ratification of her place in the 2012 team.

Pascoe was in irrepressible form in spite of a heavy workload at the three-day championships.

Her world records came in the 100m butterfly and the 100m freestyle. In the latter event she is now only a fraction of a second from breaking the magical minute barrier.

"That would be not a bad effort for someone with only one leg," said her coach, Roly Crichton, also a former gold medal-winning Paralympian swimmer, from England.

At the last Paralympics in Beijing, Pascoe won gold in the 100m backstroke and breaststroke and 200m individual medley, and silver in the 100m butterfly.

Pascoe's first record last weekend came in the 100m freestyle when she recorded 1min 00.37sec, taking 0.80sec off the old time. Her other record was in the 100m butterfly which she broke twice in the one day – in the heats in the morning and again in the final that night.

Her heat time was 1min 6.27sec and her final time 1:5.66. In the two swims she lopped 1.91sec off the old record which she held. The time would have been less than half a second off earning her a place in the B final at the able-bodied New Zealand championships last month.

Pascoe came within half a second of her own 200m individual medley record at the weekend – the only event she did not do in a best time. But that event was on the first day of the championships when she had six races – three heats and three finals.

Pascoe also swam 1min 7.22sec in the 100m backstroke, 28.25sec in the 50m freestyle, and 1min 20.40sec in the 100m breaststroke, all best times. Crichton said Pascoe's times will have put pressure on her opponents.

"She has set a benchmark that her opponents will find difficult to match now four months out from the Paralympics," Crichton said.

The Paralympic swim team won't be named until late June or early July, but Pascoe can plan her buildup to London now. Included is a high-altitude camp in Flagstaff, Arizona, in the weeks before the Paralympics.

The New Zealand Paralympic Association sent a team of seven swimmers to Sheffield for the British championships because the competition was much stronger than they would get racing in New Zealand.

The group was set difficult qualifying standards. They had to show they were capable of winning a medal in London, or finishing in the top six and show they have the ability to finish in the top three at the 2016 Paralympics in Rio de Janeiro in four years.

Another team member, Auckland's Cameron Leslie, broke his own world record in the 150m individual medley, a record he set at the Beijing Paralympics. His time was 2min 30.78sec, 2.79sec inside his old time.

- Kevin Tutty, The Press


10 Apr 2012
PNZ Cycling Team on Attitude TV
Watch the PNZ Cycling Team on Attitude TV (on demand) as they compete against the world's best at the UCI World Track Championships held in Los Angeles, USA earlier this year.

To watch the video click here.

- Attitude TV


10 Apr 2012
Shooters Compete In Australia
Michael Johnson, Grant Sharman and Grant Philip competed at the Australia Shooting Nationals held in Perth, Australia over the past week.

A summary of results are below:

To view a full set of results visit www.tra.org.au/nats2012/nats2012.html

- Paralympics New Zealand


10 Apr 2012
Medals and World Records for PNZ Swim Team in England
The PNZ Swimming Team competed at the British International Disability Swimming Championships held in Sheffield, England between the 6th - 8th April 2012.

The teams results were highlighted by Sophie Pascoe who set two new world records in her events of the S10 100m butterfly and S10 100m freestyle and Cameron Leslie who set a new world record in the SM4 150 individual medley.

  Team Manager Result Summary

For the official results visit www.swimmingresults.org.uk/disability/results/2012/dselc12/index.php

- Paralympics New Zealand


06 Apr 2012
New Zealand Blind Sailing Team Trials
Blind Sailing New Zealand will be holding their selection trials for who will represent the organization at the World Blind Sailing Championships in Japan, May 2013. This trial will be held at Bucklands Beach Yacht Club, Auckland, in J24 Yachts on the weekend of April 21/22.

Participants should now be finalizing travel and accommodation. The briefing will be held at the Bucklands Beach Yacht Club at 10am on Saturday April 21, and no sailing will take place after 3:00pm on Sunday April 22nd .

Entries are to be accompanied by the participants most up to date sight grading certificate and sent to Brian Trubovich trubi@xtra.co.nz  by April 13th 2012. Participants must be paid up members of Blind Sailing NZ.

Sighted sailors wishing to be considered for the positions of tactician or crew are welcome to attend by indicating their intention to do so by the registration cut off date April 13th.

Two selectors will be present at the trials, and the successful team members will be announced within one week of the trials, and this decision will be final. Sighted team members will be announced in due course.

- Kristine Lederis, Yachting New Zealand


03 Apr 2012
Disabled Duo Sailing Their Way To The Paralympics
A disabled sailing duo is inspiring many in their campaign to represent New Zealand at the Paralympic games in England this year.

Father-of-two Tim Dempsey, and ex-school teacher Jan Apel qualified the country a place at the games in the Netherlands in 2010.

The pair have been nominated by Yachting New Zealand (YNZ) to attend the Paralympics in Weymouth, England, in August. They now await a selection decision from Paralympics New Zealand (PNZ), who will announce the full team on 1 July.

Dempsey, who skippers the boat, has muscular dystrophy, and has been in a wheelchair for four years. His team-mate, 61-year-old Apel has the condition syringomyleia, which is caused by a cyst on her spinal cord, leaving her with limited mobility in her legs. Dempsey and Apel are currently training in the Skud18 yacht, the official double-handed Paralympic sailing class.

Apel was new to the sport of disabled sailing only two years ago, and decided to give it a go after using a sailing simulator machine to work on her upper body strength.

Coach Robert Hielkema says the pair have come an incredibly long way. While Dempsey had always been a keen sailor prior to his wheelchair days, Apel was new to it all.

“We had to start from the beginning, teach Jan how to sail, and before you knew it we were off to the world champs after she had only been sailing for six months,” says Hielkema.

Apel relies on her previous interest in sport to help her sail the skud18.

“It seems that my 61-year-old body has been able to cope with a fair bit of exercise, and a bit of flexibility and suppleness is still there, so I have been able to build on that,” says Apel.

Both Dempsey and Apel say one of the highlights of being involved is encouraging others to try it out too.

“I love seeing people coming through from the simulator course, seeing them on the water and the absolute delight in their faces,” says Apel.

Hielkema believes the sailing programme is inspiring to all people, and creates opportunities for people with disabilities.

“I think campaigns like this, pushing the boundaries and achieving on the world stage, really does a huge amount for people in their positions.”

The pair don’t see themselves as disadvantaged. They are just grateful for the opportunity to “chase a dream”.

According to Hielkema, the two sailors supplement each other’s skills and personalities.

“They make a fantastic team. One of the neat things about the skud is that it’s a male-female crew. Quite often when you get two lads in a boat they tend to argue a lot more but these guys get along really well. They are both really supportive and encouraging of each other.”

He believes they could have potential for a place on the podium.

“It’s like putting together the pieces of a puzzle. If it all comes together on the day they could come away with a medal.”

Dempsey and Apel train three to four times a week, as well as regular gym sessions, and working on the boat.

They are flying to Australia on April 4 to compete in the Access World Championships, and will be in Weymouth in June to compete in the Sail for Gold regatta, which is part of the Sailing World Cup Series.

For a video of the two sailing see: http://vimeo.com/38674148

- Te Waha Nui


31 Mar 2012
PNZ Swim Team Update From Swansea
The PNZ Swim Team are settling into Swansea life and are acclimatising well in preparation for the British International Disability Swimming Championships (BIDSC) starting on Friday.

The team have had four training sessions at the Wales National Pool to date and the facilities there are fantastic.

Today there was a very special welcome when pupils from Bishop Gore School’s Specialist Teaching Facility presented each one of the PNZ Swim Team with personalised welcome posters they’ve created themselves and in return the PNZ Swim Team presented each student with a goodie bag containing amongst other items a PNZ Pin, Paralympic Games Pin and an Easter egg. This was also attended by Media and representatives from Disability Sport Wales, Sport Wales, Welsh Government, Wales National Pool and the Swansea Council, this event proved to be a great photo and interview opportunity.

The team got out and about today with a coach trip down to The Mumbles coupled by a shopping venture.

The team also helped Aine Kelly-Costello celebrate her 17th Birthday today with a chocolate cake, a musical candle and a somewhat out of tune rendition of Happy Birthday after dinner.

The team will continue to train here in Swansea through until Monday 2nd April, when we will head to Sheffield to undertake final preparations for the 2012 BIDSC.

 

- Deb Shattock, PNZ Swim Team Manager


20 Mar 2012
Adam Hall Takes Gold in Super Combined and Slalom at World Cup Finals
For the fourth time in less than two weeks Adam Hall has beaten the rest of the world. After claiming his first ever Super-G World Cup Podium in last week’s World Cup in Winter Park, followed two days later by another win in slalom, Hall had another outstanding victory this week at the World Cup Finals in Mt Panorama BC, Canada in a third Alpine ski racing event, the Super Combined (one run Super G, and one run Slalom), followed by another Gold in slalom.

After winning the first run by less than two tenths of a second Hall stepped the pace up a notch to win the second run convincingly, in the end leading the rest of the world by 1.05 seconds in slalom, the showcase event of Paralympic Alpine ski racing.

Commenting on his season, Hall says, "It has really been an incredible last two weeks for Team Adam Hall - Four World Cup wins and two other World Cup top five results. This has been the most successful season of my career outside my Paralympic medal in 2010. I along with the rest of my team learned a lot and worked hard to get back to where we are now. It is crazy yet amazing to be back on top.”

“I regained the ranking of number one in the world after yesterday’s slalom result. I thank my family and friends and my sponsors back home for their ongoing support and drive - and especially a big thanks to the support crew I have behind me. Without their hard work, ongoing commitment and continued belief in me I would not be able to be competitive at such a high level.”

Conditions were less than optimal all week with fresh snow each day stretching the course workers and race organisers.

"The true Kiwi spirit in Adam shined through this week, proving that Kiwis really can fly,” said Hall’s coach Scott Olson. “I am exceptionally proud of the way he conveyed himself."

“For an Olympic or Paralympic athlete, every event preceding a Games should be considered a test of some component of their performance required in the Games and the preceding Qualification season,” said NZ Winter Performance Programme Progression Unit Director and Paralympic Chef de Mission Jon Turnbull. “Hall’s target was to peak twice within the one-week competition week.”

"We know Adam has the capability to podium in slalom and given favourable conditions we know we can also achieve in the Super Combined event. If we are to target these multiple goals in Sochi 2014, then we must be able to deal with the emotional highs of success and the lows of physical and mental exhaustion associated with giving it your all.”

“This week Adam worked hard toward this goal - the team rallied hard to care for Adam and he himself was extremely professional with his therapy, recovery and energy maintenance.”

“We took a little time to celebrate his Super Combined win, (a significant achievement by itself being his first World Cup victory in this event), and then put this win in the back pocket to refocus for the slalom the next day.”

“Adam's success these last few weeks has been simply outstanding.”

Hall is back to some stress free spring training in Winter Park Colorado, taking time to test new training methods and technology. After a short break in late April, Hall will be back in Wanaka New Zealand training hard in the gym in preparation for the New Zealand Winter where he is based at Cardrona Alpine resort.

- Snow Sports New Zealand


20 Mar 2012
Sailing - Tim Dempsey & Jan Apel
Tim Dempsey and Jan Apel are two disabled sailors aiming for the London 2012 London Games.

Check out their latest video http://vimeo.com/38674148.


15 Mar 2012
Strong Canterbury Representation in National Sports Awards
The finalists for the national Sport and Recreation Sector Awards have been announced with three from the Canterbury region, including the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships, held in Christchurch shortly before the 22 February earthquake.

Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker says this reinforces that Christchurch was the ideal venue for the 2011 IPC Athletic World Championships.

“It was an incredibly successful event for both our city and Paralympics New Zealand – and I am proud to see it being recognised at these awards.”

The Christchurch City Council was heavily involved in the running of the world championships and these athletes were the first to use a new training track at Christchurch’s QEII Park Recreation and Sport Centre before it was damaged in the February earthquake.

The event attracted thousands of overseas visitors and generated an economic impact of more than $15 million to the city.

“I am also grateful to those at Sport Canterbury who are up for two awards this year and all the people who are committed to ensuring Canterbury remains a top sporting and recreation region,” says Mr Parker.

The three Canterbury finalists and their respective categories are as follows:
• Paralympics New Zealand for the 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships in the Event Excellence category
• Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust for its Earthquake Recovery Communications Strategy in the Communication Excellence category
• Canterbury West Coast Sports Trust for the Cheapskates Skate Skool in the Innovation Excellence category.

The finalists were chosen by a panel, including: Sir Wilson Whineray (Chair), Sir John Wells, Sue McGregor, Peter Dale, Selwyn Maister and Peter Miskimmin.

Winners will be announced on 30 April 2012 at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards Dinner in Rotorua.

For more information about the awards visit: www.sportrecawards.org.nz.

- Christchurch City Council


15 Mar 2012
PNZ Swimming Team Announced for British Championships
Paralympics New Zealand is pleased to announce the team selections for the British International Disability Swimming Championships (BIDSC) to be held in Sheffield, England between the 6th - 8th April 2012.

Athletes
Rebecca Dubber
Daniel Holt
Nikita Howarth
Aine Kelly-Costello
Cameron Leslie
Sophie Pascoe
Daniel Sharp

Staff
Deb Shattock - Team Manager
Simon Mayne - Head Coach
Roly Crichton - Coach
Gary Francis - Coach
Jacqui Kerins - Physiotherapist
Jason Healy - Performance Analyst

- Paralympics New Zealand


15 Mar 2012
Anthea Gunner's Ambitions Hear London Calling
Competing at the 2012 Horse of the Year is Cantabrian Anthea Gunner, who hopes to put in a top performance in the hope that she is selected for the London Paralympics.

The Horse of the Year will be a "last gasp" shot for the para dressage rider, as she takes the stage hoping to impress the national selectors and earn a call-up to London.

Her accident happened in 2006 when her horse lost its footing and bumped her down a gully and she broke her back.

She was later transferred to Burwood Spinal Unit for months of rehabilitation.

"Pretty much at this spinal unit they wanted me to swim, and I don't do swimming," she said.

"I was able to ride for the last six weeks of rehab. It just gave me confidence to do the thing I just love the most."

Although she had not competed on that horse since, she now rides 10-year-old Mask, a brown and white coloured horse.

"I just really like the whole partnership. He was only quite young when I got him and I trained him myself.

"He was really good last week, so we know the plan and [will] keep following it, I guess. He's very close to the marks, so we're right where we want to be."

Although Horse of the Year was about getting some good marks, she said most of all it was about having a great time and she hoped to "take in the show ... provided the weather behaves".

- Hawkes Bay Today


12 Mar 2012
IPC Athletics World Championships Shortlisted for Award
The 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics World Championships have been shortlisted for the New Zealand Sport and Recreation award for Event Excellence, which recognizes outstanding commercial or non-profit sport or recreation events.

The Championships, held in Christchurch from 21-30 January 2011, featured over 1,000 athletes from 57 countries competing in over 200 medal events.

The shortlisted event is up against the Owen G Glenn Hockey Champions Trophy and the NZCT AIMS Games National Sporting Championships, a tournament for team sports.

The New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards recognize individuals and organizations throughout the country that make outstanding contributions to the world of sport and recreation.

They highlight those who raise standards and break new ground for the benefit of the stakeholders they serve.

The purpose of the awards are to celebrate these successes, to share best practices and inspire excellence.

Winners will be announced on 30 April 2012 at the New Zealand Sport and Recreation Awards Dinner.

- International Paralympic Committee


11 Mar 2012
Adam Hall Takes Gold in Slalom: On Top Heading into World Cup Finals
Paralympic gold medallist Adam Hall continues to dominate In slalom after winning both World Cup slalom races yesterday at his Northern Hemisphere home mountain, Winter Park.

“With a stacked field including all but a very few of the Worlds top Paralympic Alpine skiers, Adam won both Slalom runs convincingly,” said Winter Performance Programme’s Progression Unit Director, Jon Turnbull.

“With two different courses Adam showed his experience and mental toughness by skiing smart and consistently today. He was first after first run and dealt with the pressure of a home crowd and first run lead well.”

“I am absolutely amazed at how this week has gone,” said Hall. “First with winning my first ever World Cup Super G and today winning World cup Slalom. It has been three years since my last slalom world cup win.”

“Everyone dreams of having their national anthem played and to hear that twice this week has been incredible.”

Hall had the lead after the first run by .23 and came away with the win by 2.34 seconds.

“Today was a real challenge for everyone. I managed to stay consistent with few mistakes,” said Hall.

“As always, I give credit to the great team I have behind me both here in Winter Park and at home in New Zealand,” said Hall. “This week I worked with my coach Scott Olsen as well as Winter Performance Programme’s Jon Turnbull and National Sports Centre for the Disabled coach, Kurt Smitz."

“This week has allowed us to gauge where Adam is compared to the rest of his field and has set us up well for the main event, World Cup Finals, in Mt Panorama, Canada, next week,” said Turnbull. “We have taken a significant step towards Adam's campaign for Sochi 2014. There is a long road ahead but we have learned a lot and have our eyes firmly set on Sochi."

After one day’s rest Hall travels to Canada on Sunday for the World Cup Finals where he is in contention for the overall titles in Super G and Slalom.

- Snow Sports New Zealand


10 Mar 2012
Rider Chases Paralympics
Auckland Para Dressage rider Rachel Stock is confident of continuing her strong run of form at the Hastings-based Para Equestrian National Championships and Horse of the Year Show competitions in her pursuit of Paralympics qualification.

The 40-year-old dispels any preconceived notions you may have about what can be achieved while suffering from serious illness - she competes in the dressage despite a degenerative bone disease and having cancer.

Her bone disease means a fall from her horse can almost guarantee broken bones, and the list of injuries she has sustained is extensive. She has broken her back in three places, one hip once and the other twice, the shoulder twice, her left ankle four times and the right ankle "seven or eight" times.

"Every time I fall off, I pretty much break something," she said. "I'll be lying down for a very long time soon so I've got to go for it every day I can."

The spinal damage she suffered when she broke her back in 1993 left her with no feeling in the back of her legs, and so requires strapping into the saddle. This can have its difficulties when the horse throws a tantrum, and people often tell her how gutsy she is to stay mounted, she said, but the reality is she can't actually get off.

Having said that, she could well find herself on the winner's podium in London this July.

She was recently given a grant of 1500 Euros ($2400) from the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI), the sports governing body, when she was deemed one of 15 riders likely to claim a podium finish in London. After the two tournaments in Hastings, she will head to Germany to train with renowned Australian Dressage Olympian Hayley Beresford, a coach she is "honoured" to work with.

The international Paralympic qualifying requirement is a 60 per cent test, which is a system used to mark dressage performances. Lately she has been consistently scoring above that.

She remains confident of being selected for the Paralympics and this can be attributed to her positive philosophy, rather than any sense of complacency.

"That [the Olympics] is the whole purpose of everything, that's the end point right now.

"We've done everything they've wanted us to do, we just need to continue on the upward trajectory."

And her tip for success is simple.

"Never be in a rush. I think rushing is the downfall of everything in life... If it means getting your butt out of bed two hours earlier, then that is what needs to be done."

Her latest pride and joy is Bates Emmerich, a "giant" 18.2hh (hands high) Australian national champion horse.

"The most important thing is the relationship between me and the horses - when you can get on a horse that weighs 307kg and feel through the saddle that it is trying it's heart out for you."

With such promising results in her chosen field so far, Ms Stock may be one of the less well known New Zealand Olympic medal prospects, but nonetheless, is one of the most inspiring.

- Hawkes Bay Today


10 Mar 2012
Robinson Closer To London Selection
Holly Robinson (Taieri) moved a step closer to the London Paralympics when she broke the New Zealand javelin record last Saturday.

Robinson (17), a pupil at Taieri College, set an F 46 record with her throw of 32.19m at the IAAF-sanctioned meeting in Wellington.

It was a personal best by 1.75m and lifted her world ranking from seventh to sixth based on the 2011 ranking. The New Zealand qualifying mark is 25m but it does not guarantee selection.

The criteria for Paralympic selection have been tightened for London and an athlete would need to be in the top six in the world to be selected.

Early indications point to New Zealand taking no more than three athletes to the London Paralympics.

The leading contender is wheelchair athlete Jessica Hamill (Southland), who finished ninth in the shot put at the Paralympics in Beijing in 2008.

She has also finished fifth at the world championships and won a bronze medal at the Delhi Commonwealth Games in 2010.

She is ranked seventh on the combined classification that will be used for the Paralympics. She has been invited to compete in a trial event in London on May 6 and this should give her the edge to gain selection.

Robinson, an arm amputee, moved from her home in Hokitika to Dunedin last year to train with coach Raelene Bates.

She was born with a shortened left arm just below the elbow.

"It hasn't been a handicap for me," she said. "I just get on with life and do my best."

With her shortened arm she does not have as much of a lever as able-bodied athletes in the throwing events.

"It's not new. I've always had it," she said. "It doesn't affect my balance."

Her disability has given Robinson a dogged determination to succeed.

"If I can't do something it makes me more determined to keep trying," Robinson said.

"There is nothing I can't do."

She played social netball for Taieri College last year but has given the game away because she does not want to risk an injury before the London Paralympics.

Robinson grew up in Hokitika with twin brother Jonathon, an apprentice brick layer. His sport is wood chopping. Her father, Steve Robinson, played rugby for West Coast.

Robinson first competed in athletics aged 12 and found she had a talent for the sport.

"I loved it," she said. I just try to get better to see how far I can get.".

She admitted being nervous when she competed in the shot put at the world championships in Christchurch last year.

"But it settled me down and I was more relaxed for the javelin," Robinson said. She finished fifth in the javelin and seventh in the shot put.

Another Bates-coached athlete is Rory McSweeny (Taieri), who had a personal best by 1.59m when he threw his javelin 44.30m in Wellington. It moved him from 17th to 13th. The B qualifying mark is 45m.

London-based blind athlete Tim Prendergast is ranked second in the world in the 800m and 1500nm.

Matt Lack (Opotiki) is ranked 17th but is just 1sec outside the top 10 in the 800 and 1500m.

- Otago Daily Times


09 Mar 2012
Three Gold for Para-Canoe Athlete at Oceania Championships
Christchurch para-canoe athlete Scott Martlew has returned from the International Canoe Federation Oceania Championships held in Sydney, Australia with three gold medals.

Martlew, competing in his first international regatta, won gold in the men's K1 multi-class competition over the distances of 200m, 500m and 1000m.

For more information click here.

- Canoe Racing NZ


07 Mar 2012
Paralympic Gold Medallist Adam Hall Wins His First-Ever World Cup Super G
New Zealand’s Paralympic gold medalist Adam Hall has risen to the top of the field in a new discipline, winning his first ever Super G at the World Cup level today in Winter Park, Colorado. Hall is now in the running for the overall Super G title.

This is Hall’s second career world cup win and 12th World Cup podium.

An excited Hall said, “My goal going into these races was to finish in the top five. Super G is my third specialty event, behind slalom and super combined, so coming away with a win is outstanding. I’m happy and still in shock.” Adding, “The determination, commitment and ongoing hard work has continued since Vancouver and without the awesome team that supports me, this win wouldn’t have been possible.”

“Today a year and half of hard work paid off and I congratulate Adam on his success,” said Hall’s coach Scott Olson. “The work of Snow Sports New Zealand staff, trainers, physical therapists and coaches showed what real team work and a talented athlete can accomplish.”

“Adam did a fine job today making his coaching staff proud,” said Winter Performance Program’s Jon Turnbull. “We had the goal of being top five and within 1-2 seconds of the lead in SG so as to set us up for SuperCombi, which is a major target for Sochi considering Adam’s slalom is so strong. To come away with the win is testament to the work he and Scott have been doing and also to the time and energy his supporters at home Tony Hall, Mike Boyd, and Ilton Bloomfield have put into technology and innovation projects this year. We will take this win and put it in the experience bag in preparation for next week’s World Cup Finals in Panorama Canada.”

Over 100 athletes representing more than seventeen countries are competing at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Cup this week which is being held at Hall’s northern hemisphere base, Winter Park Resort. The last race of this caliber in North America was the 2010 Paralympic Winter Games in Vancouver.

Hall now has two days off before competing in Slalom on Friday (US time). He then heads off to Canada on Sunday for the World Cup finals where he will compete in Super G, Super Combined and Slalom.

A schedule of events for the Winter Park World Cup may be viewed here.

- Snow Sports New Zealand


02 Mar 2012
Queen to open Olympics and Paralympics
Britain's Queen Elizabeth, who celebrates 60 years on the throne this year, will open both the London Olympics and Paralympics, Buckingham Palace and organisers said.

The third Olympic Games to be held in the British capital start on July 27 while the Paralympics opening ceremony at the same stadium in east London will be in six months' time on August 29.

The monarch also opened the Montreal Olympics in 1976 and her husband the Duke of Edinburgh opened the 1956 Melbourne Games on her behalf.

This, however, will be the first time she has opened a Paralympics.

"The Paralympic Games will undoubtedly be a time of extraordinary pride for our nation, and it is fitting that Her Majesty will declare us underway," London 2012 chairman Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

London previously hosted the Olympics in 1908 and 1948 and will be the first city to stage the Games three times.

The Queen's father, George VI, opened the 1948 Games at the old Wembley Stadium and her great-grandfather Edward VII performed the honours at the now-demolished White City Stadium in 1908.

- Stuff.co.nz


01 Mar 2012
Happy St David's Day - Wales
As you maybe aware, some of the New Zealand Paralympic Games team members will be pre-camping in Swansea, Wales prior to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

How much do you know about Wales? Try this St David's Day quiz and find out!

To go to the quiz visit www.wales.com/2011quiz.htm.

- Wales.com


01 Mar 2012
London 2012 Offers First Look At The Paralympic Torch
The London 2012 Organizing Committee (LOCOG) has unveiled the Paralympic Torch to mark six months to go until the start of the Paralympic Games.

Made from an aluminium alloy which was developed for the aerospace and automotive industry, the Paralympic Torch has been given a mirrored finish which means that its colour will adapt to its surroundings. It will not only reflect the light from the Flame but also shine brightly on the teams of Torchbearers that carry it and the communities that it travels through on the way from Stoke Mandeville to the Olympic Stadium. With part of the 24 hour relay taking place overnight, the reflective nature of the Torch will help it shine brightly and stand out in the darkness.

Sharing the core design attributes of the Olympic Torch, the three sided form was inspired by the multiples of ‘three’ identified across London 2012. One of these is the Agitos, the symbol of the International Paralympic Committee. The three Agitos encircle a central point to emphasize the role the International Paralympic Committee plays in bringing athletes from all parts of the world together to compete. In the same way, the three sides of the Paralympic Torch encircle the Paralympic Flame.

London 2012 Paralympic Torch © • Getty Images

To read the full article click here.

- International Paralympic Committee
 

Last Updated | Tuesday, 15 May 2012