A public lecture will examine how the University of Bath aims to become a research centre of excellence in disability and Paralympic sport ahead of and beyond London 2012. (Thursday 3 March).
The lecture will be given by Simone Lewis, a member of the team responsible for bringing Paralympic sport to the University and academic staff from the Department for Health Dr Polly McGuigan and Dr James Bilzon.
The University of Bath has been chosen as the preparation base for Great Britain’s Paralympic team in the run up to 2012 and held two successful multisport camps for ParalympicsGB in 2010.
15 sports will attend the next ParalympicsGB training camp which is due to take place this summer and another final preparation camp is planned before the home Games in London 2012.
Simone Lewis, a senior manager from the Department of Sports Development & Recreation at the University, will begin the talk by focusing on the current partnership with ParalympicsGB and the legacy it is hoped will be created, including what the Centre of Excellence may look like.
Simone said: “Having been successful in submitting a strategic bid to ParalympicsGB in Bath we are now developing a strong relationship with them which we hope will extend past 2012.
“This opportunity is not just about helping prepare athletes in the run up to London 2012, but about creating a lasting legacy with Bath at the centre of disability sport in Great Britain for years to come.”
Dr McGuigan is also due to talk about how research expertise at the University is being identified and harnessed to help in this area. She said: “Sport, health & exercise science crosses a great spectrum of academic disciplines and is important from general health & fitness right through sports performance.
“What we’re looking to do is make the most of the expertise which exists here be it in health; engineering; pharmacy & pharmacology; biology & biochemistry; maths; education or any other discipline.”
Dr James Bilzon will be the final speaker discussing the research strategy required to cater for a range of issues related to disability sport & exercise.
Dr Bilzon said: “We are in a unique position to draw together a range of relevant and contemporary research strands, delivering an integrated approach under the management and direction of a research steering group.
“This obviously includes a sharp focus on Paralympic Sport, but also on aspects of exercise rehabilitation associated with catastrophic injury as suffered by military amputees and the role of regular physical activity in the maintenance of health and prevention of chronic disease among the wider disabled population.”
The lecture will take place in 4 East 3.10 on Thursday 3 March at 2.15pm for tickets contact Paula McGrane p.m.mcgrane@bath.ac.uk