GB name World Champs squad

Paul Carter

Great Britain have named a blend of youth and experience in the squad for the forthcoming IPC Athletics World Championships.

Paralympic medallists David Weir, Shelly Woods, Libby Clegg, Ian Jones and Stephen Miller are all included in the 40-strong squad, which also includes a number of development level athletes, including 14-year-old Jade Jones.

Jones, who competes in T54 events over 200m, 400m and 800m is trained by legendary Paralympian Tanni Grey Thompson and her husband Ian.

She recently proved her credentials at junior level by picking up five gold medals and one silver medal in August’s IWAS World Junior Championships in Olomouc, Czech Republic.

The event in Christchurch is the final qualifying event before the 2012 Paralympics in London, with only the Paralympic World Cup providing the opportunity for senior level competition.

UKA Head Coach (Paralympic) and Team Leader Peter Eriksson said: “We’re travelling to New Zealand with a group of athletes we expect to challenge for medals, which is our main priority.

“In addition, looking ahead to future Paralympic Games, the World Championships provides another vital opportunity for our senior athletes to compete at the highest level against the best athletes in the world, while for our juniors it’s an important stepping stone towards London, but ultimately to Rio in 2016.”