We are delighted to be hosting the final preparations for over 100 Paralympians as they get ready to compete at London 2012 Paralympic Games from 20-28 August.
Some nations have trained here and now moved on to London but this week sees the arrival of more than 100 athletes from Britain’s Paralympic team.
ParalympicsGB selected Bath to host its preparation camps in an exhaustive study of eight possible venues that looked at key factors including sports facilities, accommodation and catering.
Professor Dame Glynis Breakwell, our Vice-Chancellor, said: “We’re absolutely thrilled that ParalympicsGB have chosen the University of Bath to be their preparation base for London 2012.
“From the moment London’s bid to host 2012 was successful we have been committed to making a meaningful contribution to supporting British athletes ahead of the Games, and this is a significant contribution to that objective.
“We are proud and privileged to be hosting the British team and we look forward to working with the British Paralympic Association on all fronts, including sports science research.
“We know that both the University and the city of Bath will roll out the red carpet and make our British Paralympic athletes feel at home,” she added. “We will also strive to ensure that Bath’s selection to host the British team will leave a lasting legacy for disability sport in the area.”
Bath’s world-class facilities, compact site and sports technical expertise, including our proven track record of providing outstanding physiotherapy, sports science and medical services to elite athletes, were leading factors in support of its bid.
Lord Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games, said: “The South West has excellent sporting facilities which can help the team prepare well for their competitions at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”
We hope that everyone in Bath, and particularly at the University, can feel a sense of pride in the role that our city is playing in this inspirational event.