The 2023 Wheelchair Rugby European Championships is set to boost UK Sport’s Major Events Programme as attention turns towards the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Just over two months after ParalympicsGB first ever gold medal in the sport at Tokyo, the Wheelchair Rugby European Championships will take place at the Principality Stadium, Wales in May 2023.
The confirmation of the Wheelchair Rugby European Championships is welcome news following the success of ParalympicsGB in Tokyo, where they made history in winning medals in 18 different sports, more than any other nation has ever achieved before.
In the build up to Tokyo, UK Sport invested National Lottery funding into 13 Paralympic events – including World Championships in boccia and para athletics – held across the UK not only giving athletes the opportunity to qualify or prepare for the Games, but also the chance for fans to see them compete on home soil.
Of the 119 individuals who secured a medal for ParalympicsGB in Tokyo, 56 of these had competed at a National Lottery funded event in the build up to the Games.
UK Sport’s new mission is to create the greatest decade of extraordinary sporting moments; reaching, inspiring and uniting the nation. If successful in live bids, at least nine Paralympic sports will be hosting their World or European Championships events in the UK in the lead up to Paris 2024.
Events already secured in the build up to Paris include the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which for the first time ever features 13 different individual disciplines, in addition to the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, which will include the largest para sport programme ever.
The full list of secured Paralympic events so far is:
- Commonwealth Games, July-August 2022, Birmingham
- World Triathlon Para Series, August 2022, Swansea
- UCI Cycling World Championships, August 2023, Glasgow and Scotland
- IBSA World Blind Games, August 2023, Birmingham
- Wheelchair Rugby European Championships, May 2023, Cardiff
The full list of Paralympic events where live bids and event feasibility is being undertaken is:
- ITTF Para Table Tennis European Championships
- Wheelchair Basketball European Championships
- Para Taekwondo European Championships
- Para Triathlon World Series (multi-year)
- Para Badminton International Series (multi-year)
- World Para Powerlifting World Cup
Esther Britten, Head of Major Events at UK Sport, said: “With the dust still settling on the incredible performance of ParalympicsGB in Tokyo it is fantastic that we are able to confirm further events that will play a key role in preparing British athletes for the Games in Paris in less than three years time. Following on from ParalympicsGB success in Tokyo, it is important that we provide a showcase for both athletes and for the British public to watch and support as we move towards Paris.
“We know that hosting major events can play a major part in inspiring the next generation of athletes and what an important role they play in society. Major events promote the UK to the world, raise the profile of sport and drive social and economic benefits. We are looking forward to working with each and every event and making an impact for everyone involved.”
Having invested National Lottery funding into 29 Olympic events in the build up to Tokyo, UK Sport’s Major Events programme is also shaping up well here.
Of the 114 individuals who secured a medal for Team GB in Tokyo, 60 of these individuals had competed at a UK Sport-funded event in the cycle and, ahead of Paris, the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships and 2023 Canoe Slalom World Championships are among a strong list set to provide another platform for British athletes.
The full list of secured Olympic events so far is:
- European Taekwondo Championships, May 2022, Manchester
- World Triathlon Series and Mixed Team Relay, June 2022, Leeds
- UEFA Women’s EURO, July 2022, England
- Commonwealth Games, July-August 2022, Birmingham
- World Gymnastics Championships, October-November 2022, Liverpool
- Cycling World Championships, August 2023, Glasgow and Scotland
- Canoe Slalom World Championships, September 2023, London
- World Trampoline Championships, November 2023, Birmingham
In addition to Paralympic and Olympic events, UK Sport also invests in events and disciplines not included on the Games schedule. This currently includes the rescheduled 2022 Rugby League World Cup and World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals, which are set to be held in Wales in October 2022.