23 August 2010
Brazil goes nuts for Manchester
Manchester is fast becoming a top international attraction ahead
of London 2012 with the Brazilian Paralympic team heading to the
city to train for the next Paralympic Games to be held in the
capital.
The news, which coincides with the 2 year countdown to the
world’s biggest Paralympic sporting event, follows the announcement
that the Swimming Australia Olympic team will use the state-of
the-art facilities at Manchester Aquatics Centre to prepare for the
Games.
The announcement from Brazil is a particular coup for
Manchester, as the team is hoping to put in a convincing
medal-winning performance at London 2012 before they host the
tournament themselves in 2016.
Chris Holmes, London 2012 Director of Paralympic Integration
said: “On 29 August it will be exactly two years to go until the
start of the 2012 Paralympic Games and we want everyone to start
planning their once in a lifetime experience. The Brazil National
Paralympic Committee is clearly well advanced with its plans with
the agreement today to train the team in Manchester’s superb
facilities prior to competition. Whether it’s buying a
ticket, becoming a volunteer, being part of our education or
culture programmes – there are hundreds of ways to get involved in
the London 2012 Games and I look forward to hearing more about the
community involvement plans surrounding the Brazilian NPC’s stay in
Manchester.“
Councillor Mike Amesbury, Manchester City Council’s executive
member for culture and leisure said: “Manchester is ahead of the
field when it comes to attracting teams to the city to train for
the Olympics and Paralympics in two years. With sports bodies such
as British Cycling, England Squash, England Federation of
Disability Sports and England Athletics northwest all based here,
we have a strong international presence within the sporting arena
and our exceptional facilities are world-renowned. By attracting
high profile teams into Manchester we are only strengthening our
position as a world-class sporting city.”
Sheldon Phillips, Head of Regional Major Events at the Northwest
Regional Development Agency (NWDA) said: “Brazil is one of the
largest Paralympic teams to compete at London 2012, so to have the
team training here in Manchester is very prestigious. England’s
Northwest has seen major success so far when it comes to attracting
world-class teams to train in our outstanding facilities ahead of
the Games. This latest agreement not only helps to build on this
success, but is testament to the Northwest’s strong reputation for
championing, developing and showcasing Paralympic sport.”
Beijing 2008 was the Brazilian Paralympic team’s most successful
display to date finishing in the top ten with 47 medals. Swimmers
Daniel Dias and Andre Brasil were the leading medalists with five
gold, four silver and one bronze medal between them, while Ricardo
Alves formed part of Brazil’s Gold medal-winning blind football
team.
The Brazilian Paralympic team’s training camp will take place
over nine days in August 2012, with around 170 athletes and 80
staff making use of facilities at Sportcity including the athletics
track, gym, national squash centre and national tennis centre.
The deal to bring Brazil to Manchester has been secured by
Manchester City Council, and supported by the Northwest Regional
Development Agency, Marketing Manchester, Manchester Sport and
Leisure Trust and Sportcity.
For more Manchester City Council information visit www.manchester.gov.uk
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACTS: Claire Donnelly, Manchester City Council Press
Office tel: 0161 234 1010
Rachel Handford, NWDA Press Office tel: 01925 400237 or 07810
528449