UK Sport

Summer of world class events

World Wheelchair Basketball Championships
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Natalie Broadbent 08 July 2010

Fans will be treated to a bumper month of sporting events taking place throughout July thanks to UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme.

Athletes will have the opportunity to experience Home Advantage and spectators will get a taste of what can be expected at London 2012.

The first event to get underway was the Laser World Championships. The event started on Tuesday at Largs and will finish on 25 July.

The National Indoor Arena in Birmingham is the location for the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships. 12 men’s teams and 10 women’s teams started competition yesterday and the event will last until 17 July.

For the first time ever, the Samsung Hockey Champions Trophy will be held in England in 2010, giving sports fans in this country the perfect opportunity to see world class international hockey live and up close. The event heads to Nottingham between 10-18 July.

11 July and 15 August will see the Athletics Disability Challenge take place in London and Gateshead. Paralympians from across the globe will be chasing key qualification marks for the
IPC World Athletics Championships as well as laying down early indications for London 2012.

The Wrestling GB Cup 2010 takes place on 17 July at Ponds Forge in Sheffield. Some 200 wrestlers from all over the world are expected to take part contesting 14 weight categories, 7 male and 7 female.

Finally, the Triathlon ITU World Championship Series returns to London’s Hyde Park on the weekend of 24-25 July. London Triathlon is also looking for volunteers for the event. For more information visit the London Triathlon website.

Simon Morton, UK Sport’s Head of Events, said: “The number of international sporting events we're bringing to the UK this summer reflects our commitment to preparation for London 2012. Based on the scale and breadth of our 'lead-in' events programme, I believe we will be the best prepared country to have ever hosted an Olympic and Paralympic Games.”

“The benefits of bringing these events to towns and cities across the country are significant. They provide British athletes with valuable experience in competing on home soil ahead of London 2012, give volunteers and officials the opportunity to hone the necessary skills that are required to deliver world-level competition, provide local economies with a boost, and give spectators the opportunity to see World and Olympic Champions competing live on their own doorstep.”

Take a look at other events taking place this summer.

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