ParalympicsGB have announced that they are heading to Belo Horizonte for their UK Sport and National Lottery funded preparation camp for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
The agreement was made in the presence of His Royal Highness Prince Harry who earlier took part in Rugby, Basketball and Judo activities with local children and Ben Quilter, ParalympicsGB’s Judo Bronze Medallist at London 2012, at the Minas Tênis Clube in Belo Horizonte.
Speaking at the event, His Royal Highness Prince Harry said: "I am delighted that the BPA has formed such a close partnership with the city of Belo Horizonte. London 2012 was a fantastic success and the Paralympic Games has moved on to a new level of excellence and excitement. The BPA is keen to build on this incredible legacy and I have no doubt that, through the partnerships announced today, the ParalympicsGB team will be best prepared for Rio 2016.”
The British Paralympic Association signed the agreement with the City of Belo Horizonte and the State Government of Minas Gerais that will see the ParalympicsGB team train and prepare in the city in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games that will take place between 7th – 18th September 2016. The agreement means that both Team GB and ParalympicsGB will host their preparation camps in the city, thanks to investment from UK Sport.
The agreement includes a commitment from all parties to work together to establish a mutually beneficial programme for exchanging cultural experiences and expertise while working towards a legacy with sporting, social, cultural and educational benefits, promoting wider integration and better social practices for disabled people.
Tim Hollingsworth, BPA CEO, said: “We are delighted to be in Belo Horizonte to sign these agreements that will see ParalympicsGB train and prepare here in the lead up to the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games. This is a very exciting time as we step up our preparation for what will be a fantastic festival of Paralympic sport in just over two years’ time.
“We believe that we have found some fantastic facilities for our needs and I would like to thank all our new partners here in Belo Horizonte for working so hard to accommodate our requirements. I would also like to thank UK Sport and the National Lottery for once again funding our camps and for their ongoing support of our preparation strategy. We can now continue our journey towards Rio 2016 with the knowledge that our athletes will have the best possible preparation ahead of the Games and that our presence here will help deliver a wider social legacy.”
Only a one hour flight from Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and Brasilia, Belo Horizonte is one of the best connected cities in Brazil and the optimal year round temperatures and first class facilities make it an ideal location for sports training and preparation. Belo Horizonte is also currently hosting the national teams from Argentina, Chile and Uruguay during the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
The Mayor of Belo Horizonte, Marcio Lacerda, said: “We are truly honoured that the British Paralympic Association have chosen Belo Horizonte as a pre Games training base ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
“This is yet another great moment for our city and we will ensure that every member of ParalympicsGB and Team GB are welcomed with passion and respect ensuring that they are provided with the best facilities to help them prepare for Rio 2016.”
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