Athletics Australia – News – Games preparations gaining momentum says Hellwig

The Welsh capital of Cardiff looms as one of the secret weapons for Australia’s assault on next year’s Paralympic Games, with the Australian Paralympic Committee (APC) today revealing further plans for its staging camp there in the weeks leading up to the Opening Ceremony in London.

Addressing the third 2012 Australian Paralympic Team Executive Meeting today in Sydney, Jason Hellwig said preparations for the staging camp continue to gain momentum and look set to provide Australia’s athletes with an ideal launching pad for Paralympic glory.
 
Australian athletes from 10 sports will base themselves in Cardiff and the nearby city of Newport, for what will be the first multi-sport staging camp conducted by the APC ahead of a Paralympic Games.
 
The staging camp will open on August 1 next year, and will see athletes arrive over the course of the following three weeks before the Australian Team moves onto London for the Paralympic Games Opening Ceremony on August 29.
 
“Our objectives for this staging camp are clear. We will create a high performance environment in which Australian athletes can also acclimatise to the time zone and weather conditions they will encounter during the London Games, while adapting to life in a larger team environment,” Hellwig said.
 
“Given its proximity to London, and the willingness of the Government and people of Wales to embrace us, Cardiff has already proven to be an outstanding choice.
 
“We’re extremely pleased with how the staging camp is taking shape at this crucial time in our preparations and we’re very confident that it will be delivered in a way that will give our Paralympic Team the best chance for success.”
 
Team officials at today’s Executive Meeting revealed that all Cardiff training venues, accommodation, medical and recovery services, and the venue for the announcement of the Australian Flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony had all been finalised after more than three years of meticulous planning, while transport arrangements were in the latter stages of negotiation.
 
“This is an exciting time because the staging camp has added a whole new element to the APC’s preparations for a Paralympic Games,” Hellwig said.
 
“The Games are approaching fast, but it is of great comfort to our athletes and teams to know that the level of planning has been very extensive. This will ensure that their transition into the UK for the Games will be seamless, and ultimately, conducive to peak performance.”
 
Among the other key outcomes from today’s Team Executive Meeting was the confirmation of several Team Official appointments including Adam McCarthy as the Team Attaché. Mr McCarthy is currently the Deputy High Commissioner at the Australian High Commission in London.
 
Also conducted today as part of the meeting was a review of 2012 Team Processing which took place nationwide over a three-month and concluded recently, and an update of Anti-Doping, Freight, Logistics, Media, Broadcasting, Security and Outfitting operations for the Australian Team at the Games.

With thanks to Tim Mannion at the Australian Paralympic Committee

Athletics Australia – News