Top UAE official Majid Al Usaimi has labelled Dubai a pioneer of the paralympic world after the city was chosen to host the movement’s first-ever Grand Prix meeting.
History will be made in the emirate after the IPC confirmed a six-event International Paralympic Athletics Grand Prix, similar to the able-bodied athletics’ Diamond League series.
Dubai has been bestowed with the honour of hosting the inaugural event at the city’s Police Club, between March 23-26, with the 5th Fazza Disabled International Championships taking on Grand Prix status.
Al Usaimi, who will oversee the staging of the event, says the IPC’s decision highlights Dubai’s superb reputation for promoting disability sports.
“Since it first came to life five years ago, we wanted the Fazza International Disabled Championships to be a prestigious spot on the paralympic calendar,” Al Usaimi told Sport360°.
“And we successfully managed to do just that in the previous editions. Through our constant work with the IPC, our tournament became an official qualifying event for the World Championships and the Paralympic Games.
“We were one of the first cities to be recommended by the IPC because the reputation of the tournament is great. We have the proper facilities and infrastructure, great management, over 250 athletes competing every year, and premier hospitality as well.
“I believe this initiative from the IPC will help us provide additional incentive for our athletes to train harder. This new series can lead to more sponsorship and media exposure which can further develop our athletes.”
The IPC are determined to build on the success of last year’s London Paralympics, where huge crowds supported the event. And, after the curtain-raiser in Dubai, the series will go on to visit Beijing, Sao Paulo, Grosseto, Arizona and Berlin.
The events themselves already existed, but the IPC believes linking them as a series will attract the biggest names in Paralympic track and field and do wonders for its global profile.
Ed Warner, chairman of the IPC Athletics technical committee, said: “This announcement is a direct legacy of London 2012. “This year’s Grand Prix events are very much a trial and are designed to improve standards off the track first and then provide more competition opportunities for leading athletes later.”
While the Grand Prix series will have an impact worldwide, Al Usaimi explained how the UAE has already put in massive efforts to support disabled sports.
He added: “The initiatives here in the UAE started many years ago. This was all part of Sheikh Hamdan’s vision. The best athletes in the world come here and our athletes mix with them and see their training regimes and how they work.”
Dubai’s Grand Prix selection comes on the back of Doha getting the 2015 World Paralympic Championships with the Gulf becoming a hotbed of the movement.
Dubai will tempt the top names. Here are five of the biggest…
DAVID WEIR
The man dubbed the ‘Weir Wolf’ took London 2012 by storm with his awesome feats. Including heats and semi-finals, Weir raced seven times in 10 days as he won gold in the 800m, 1,500m and 5,000m before success in the marathon. Weir also won two golds in Beijing 2008.
OSCAR PISTORIUS
The charismatic South African has long been the poster boy of the movement. An inspirational figure, Pistorius has won too many titles and broken too many records to name. He won a first medal in Athens and competed in both the Olympics and Paralympics in London 2012.
JONNIE PEACOCK
Peacock announced himself as the future sprint star of the sport as he destroyed the field in the 100m in London. Peacock’s infectious personality endeared the Cambridge-born runner to the public. Was given an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honours’ List for his efforts.
RAYMOND MARTIN
USA’s Raymond Martin set the London track alight as he won all four of the events he entered. The American captured gold in the T52 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m as enjoyed a perfect summer. And the University of Illinois student did it all at the tender age of 18.
TATYANA MCFADDEN
Now a veteran of three Paralympics, Tatyana’s performances have got better and better. The Russian-born American athlete came home from Beijing with a collection of silvers. But in London, gold was the colour as she stormed home in the 400m, 800m and 1,500m.
Read more:
– UAE hero Al Hammadi welcomes new Paralympic series
– Big interview: Oscar Pistorius – changing peoples perceptions of disabilities
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