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Brunel to host Athletics Canada for London 2012 Paralympic Games training camp

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An agreement with Brunel University has been reached which will put the University's world-class sports facilities at the disposal of the Canadian athletes during their final preparations for London 2012.

The Canadian coaching team will visit Brunel in mid-October 2011 for a final planning visit and will return with the athletes in May 2012 for their Simulation Camp and Paralympic Test Event. The final pre-Games preparation camp will run from August 20 to 26 2012.

Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “This is great news for Brunel. I am sure that the Canadian athletics team will be provided with a very warm welcome and that they will enjoy training and acclimatising at the University. I’m well aware of the importance these athletes will place on preparing thoroughly and am sure that the excellent facilities on offer will provide the athletes with a great setting in which to prepare for London 2012.”

Ozzie Sawicki, Athletics Canada Para-Athletics Head Coach, looks forward to working with Brunel University on London 2012 preparations: “I am very excited to have a working relationship to utilise Brunel University as the Canadian Para-Athletics training base leading up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games. I believe that Brunel offers the key preparation, training and logistical aspects that fit the needs of our elite performers.” Sawicki added: “The proximity to the Games facilities in London are also of benefit, minimising travel impact on our athletes. Led by Neil Young, our relationship with Brunel has been excellent; a relationship which I know will benefit both the Canadian Para-Athletics London 2012 team and Brunel University.”

Neil Young, Head of Brunel Programmes for the London 2012 Games, said: “We are honoured that Brunel University has been chosen as the Paralympic Games preparation camp by Athletics Canada and look forward to developing long-lasting relationships with the Canadian athletes, coaches and officials.  The sporting facilities at Brunel University are among the best in London and there has been considerable interest in London 2012 preparation camps from teams around the world.”

Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Ian Campbell added: “We are delighted that Athletics Canada has chosen Brunel, not only because of its world-class sports facilities, conveniently located close to Heathrow, but also because of our cutting edge research into factors that may influence the performance of Paralympic athletes.”

Brunel offers some of the best university sports and athletics facilities in the UK, including an indoor centre for track and field, an outdoor six-lane 400-metres track, and exercise facilities for fitness and weight training. Altogether, these facilities have helped make the University a year-round base for top athletes, with members of the Great Britain and Jamaican athletics teams training on campus, including triple world record holder Usain Bolt.

For more information on sport at Brunel, visit the Brunel 2012 website.

Notes for Editors

About Brunel University

Brunel offers extensive indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including:

  • Indoor Athletics Centre, including a 132-metre six-lane sprints and hurdles straight, two long jump and triple jump pits, pole vault and high jump beds, throws nets and a performance strength and conditioning area
  • Two sports halls for badminton and handball
  • An exercise studio for fitness and martial art
  • A Sports Park with an international-standard 400-metre six-lane track, full field event facilities and synthetic football and hockey pitches

For more information on sport at Brunel, visit the Brunel 2012 website.

Neil Young
neil.young@brunel.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1895 265315
Mob: +44 (0)7748 304984

Owen Morris
owen@communicationsmanagement.co.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1727 733887
Mob: +44 (0)7557 163748