Sport :

GB Paralympic squad complete

10th July 2012, 11:32am

David Weir: Won two gold medals in Beijing

David Weir: Won two gold medals in Beijing

Great Britain's Paralympic team is now known in full following the announcement of a 49-strong athletics squad.

ParalympicsGB named the final team members on Tuesday morning - 50 days before the opening ceremony.

The British Paralympic Association have named a blend of youth and experience in its athletics line-up.

No fewer than 28 athletes will make their Paralympic debut in London, while there are eight medallists from Beijing four years ago, including double gold winner David Weir.

"As you can see from our selection, we've made a lot of changes since Beijing where we finished 18th overall (in athletics) and that medal performance has been our benchmark for progress ever since,'' UK Athletics head coach Peter Eriksson said.

"We had a hugely successful World Championships in January 2011 where we won 38 medals and finished third in the medal table.

"Now, in my third full year at UKA, we're starting to see the gradual transition to a much more professional squad with a fantastic team spirit as well as having competent performers.

"Overall the strength and depth of the squad has improved and that's a huge positive.

"We've seen a tremendous increase in the number of new athletes coming into the sport and in particular, those that we've been able to fast track from development through to international representation at junior and senior level, and that's evident in this team - which means we've had to make some tough decisions.

"I'm confident we can do well and but we can't underestimate the fact that every other nation will have stepped up their preparation and performance goals in this quickly evolving and fast-improving sport.''

The team features a number of experienced track and field campaigners, including three-time F32 club throw gold medallist Stephen Miller and multiple F34 shot putt and discus medallist Dan West.

Tracey Hinton, a double gold medallist in the T11 100m and 200m at the recent IPC Athletics European Championships, celebrates her sixth Paralympics, while Weir is selected for his fourth Games.

Hannah Cockroft, the T34 double world champion in the 100/200m and multiple world record holder, is one of the 28 athletes making their Paralympic debut.

T36 1500m world record holder and world 400m champion Paul Blake is another, as is Jonnie Peacock, who is included after breaking Oscar Pistorius' T44 world record at the end of June.

Josie Pearson and Richard Whitehead make their Games debuts in athletics, having represented Britain in wheelchair rugby and ice sledge hockey respectively.

Full athletics squad:

Men: Ola Abidogun (T46 100/200m), Jonathan Adams (F34 shot putt), Graeme Ballard (T36 100/200m), Paul Blake (T36 400/800m), Mickey Bushell (T53 100/200m), Jamie Carter (T34 100/200m), Aled Davies (F42 shot putt/discus), Derek Derenalagi (F57 discus), David Devine (T12 800/1500/5000m), Kyron Duke (F40 javelin/shot putt), Dan Greaves (F44 discus), Jordan Howe (T35 100/200m), Rhys Jones (T37 100/200m), Andy Kaar (T20 1500m), Dean Miller (T37 1500m), Stephen Miller (F32 club throw),

Steve Morris (T20 1500m), Scott Moorhouse (F42 javelin), Stephen Osborne (T51 100m), Jonnie Peacock (T44 100m), Sam Ruddock (T35 100/200m), Ben Rushgrove (T36 100/200m), Nathan Stephens (F57 javelin), Kieran Tscherniawsky (F33 discus), David Weir (T54 800/1500/5000/marathon), Dan West (F34 shot putt), Richard Whitehead (T42 100/200m), Rob Womack (F55 shot putt)

Women: Hollie Arnold (F46 javelin), Olivia Breen (T38 100/200/4x100m relay), Sally Brown (T46 100/200m), Libby Clegg (T12 100/200m), Hannah Cockroft (T34 100/200m), Katrina Hart (T37 100/200/4x100m relay), Tracey Hinton (T11 100/200m), Bev Jones (F37 discus/shot putt), Jade Jones (T54 400m/800m/1500m), Sophie Kamlish (T44 100/200m), Jenny McLoughlin (T37 100/200/4x100m relay), Maxine Moore (F32 club throw), Mel Nicholls (T34 100/200m), Josie Pearson (F51 discus/club throw), Gemma Prescott (F32 shot putt/club throw), Stef Reid (T44 100/200m/F44 long jump), Hazel Robson (T36 100/200/4x100m relay), Sophia Warner (T35 100/200/4x100m relay), Claire Williams (F12 discus), Shelly Woods (T54 800/1500/5000/marathon), Bethy Woodward (T37 200/4x100m relay)

Videos

    Brailsford heaps praise on Hoy

    Brailsford heaps praise on Hoy

    18-April-2013

    Sir Dave Brailsford says he can't speak highly enough of Sir Chris Hoy and his career, stating he made Britian proud.

    Sir Chris Hoy retires

    Sir Chris Hoy retires

    18-April-2013

    Sir Chris Hoy, the six-time Olympic gold medal-winner, has retired from track cycling.

    Johnson develops future talent

    Johnson develops future talent

    05-April-2013

    Four-time Olympic Champion Michael Johnson thinks it's extremely important to have a full-time atheltics stadium in the UK to help develop future talent and for the legacy of the London 2012.

    From discus to NFL?

    From discus to NFL?

    31-March-2013

    British discus thrower Lawrence Okoye speaks about his attempts to join a side in the NFL as a defensive end.

    Facebook Favourites