News Story Date : 08 January, 2010

Paralympic Potential - Last chance to apply for Talent 2012

Monday 11th January is the closing date for members of the British public to get the opportunity to find out whether they might have what it takes to become a Paralympic gold medalist at the Paralympic Game London 2012.

Applications for Talent 2012: Paralympic Potential - a nationwide talent search being run by UK Sport, the EIS and ParalympicsGB - have been coming in since 3rd December 2009, but will close on Monday.

After the closing date, assessment days across the country will follow to identify those with the talent to succeed in one of a variety of Paralympic sports.

A campaign of this size so close to a Games is unprecedented and whilst it can take athletes up to eight years to reach an Olympics, research has shown that potential participants for a Paralympic Games can be ready to compete at an elite level much sooner - Results at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing show that 33% of British medalists had been part of a world class elite programme for less than two years and 15 of the British gold medals were won by first time Paralympians.

Chelsea Warr, Head of Athlete Development at UK Sport, said: “The ability to achieve a Paralympic gold medal is a rare commodity and identifying those capable of doing so in the final 1000 days before 2012 will be no easy task. It is possible however, as results at the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing have shown, that with hard work, dedication and the right coaching set up, we can make someone’s dream a reality.”

Talent 2012: Paralympic Potential Ambassador, and 18-time Paralympic medallist across two different sports, Sarah Storey, said: “Sport has provided me with so many unique opportunities and I have experienced some incredible places and inspiring events. Switching to cycling was never part of my ‘plan’, but I’m so glad I did. Now, aiming for cycling gold in London 2012 drives me every single day. If there are athletes out there who love sport, think they are good enough and could be eligible to compete at the Paralympic Games I would encourage them to sign up!”

So if you or anyone you know with a form of disability, aged 15-35, might have what it takes to become a Paralympic Champion in London in 2012 please register at www.uksport.gov.uk/talent before Monday!