Dan Pepper Crowned World Champion at the IPC World Swimming Championships in Eindhoven
In one of the most exciting races of the Championships, Dan Pepper has claimed victory in the 100m breaststroke at the IPC World Swimming Championships in Eindhoven in a time of 1:11.08, ahead of Australia's Richard Eliason by only four tenths of a second.
"I didn't realize just how close it was" commented Dan after the race, "I just kept my head down and did what the coaches told me to do".
This is the first opportunity in his career than Dan has had the opportunity to compete for an IPC World title as athletes with learning disability were excluded from IPC events since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games, a decision that was reversed by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) in November 2009 after 9 years of campaigning by the UK Sports Association and other organisations.
Also part of the 30 strong British Swimming team in the S14 classification group were Ben Procter, Chloe Selman and Natalie Massey.
"It's a great achievement for all four swimmers to have been selected to compete at this important event", comments Tracey McCillen, Chief Executive, UK Sports Association. I hope that this is the first of many opportunities at this level for them on the road to London 2012. Our congratulations to the entire British Swimming Team who really did showcase our strong British talent, but particular congratulations to Dan, Ben, Natalie and Chloe - it's great to see these talented swimmers finally have the opportunity that they have strived for and dreamed about for such a very long time"
You can watch the action from Dan Peppers race on the BBC sport website (click here to view), which also includes commentary on other team members including gold medalist Ellie Simmonds as well as interviews with Dan Pepper and team mate Ben Procter.
Full results from the IPC World Championships can be found at www.wcswimming2010.com/WorldChampionships/LiveResults.aspx
Athletes with Intellectual Disability and London 2012 Paralympic Games
In November 2009 the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) voted at its General Assembly to end the ban on athletes with intellectual disability competing at the Paralympic Games. The ban had been in place since the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.
Dr Bob Price, President INAS-FID addressing the GA
The conditions set by the IPC were that athletes must meet the primary eligibility criteria and then successfully complete sports specific classification. Sports specific classification systems must be established in each of the four sports being included in the London 2012 Games for athletes with intellectual disability and it was deemed the responsibility of the respective International Federations to determine the criteria.
Since the November 2009 decision, the research team have collected data and carried out research involving athletes at different events in order to develop the new sports specific classification system. In its recent communiqué of 2nd July 2010, IPC have announced the following key dates.
IPC Athletics
No later than 14th February 200, IPC will announce the criteria by which athletes will be able to enter in the London 2012 Paralympic Games. This will be announced in the "London 2012 Paralympic Games Qualification Guide" on the IPC website.
IPC Swimming
No later than 15th September 2010, the criteria by which athletes will be able to enter the London 2012 Paralympic Games will be announced. This will be detailed in the "London 2012 Paralympic Games Qualification Guide" on the IPC website.
ITTF Table Tennis
The sports specific classification system will be tested at INAS-FID table tennis events. The ITTF Executive Committee will consider reports from its working group by the end of August 2010 and following a piloting in September 2010 a decision will be made on inclusion in the London 2012 Games.
FISA Rowing
The FISA Council has decided at its meeting on 19th June 2010 that rowers with intellectual disability will not be included in the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
For further information click here to read the IPC update of 2nd July 2010.
Global Games 09 - Interview with INAS-FID president Bob Price
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