Could you be a 2012 Paralympian?

Are you an amputee with a sporting background and a passion for high-performance sport? If yes, then ParalympicsGB want to hear from you.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are coming to London in 2012, bringing with them new and exciting opportunities. As part of this, ParalympicsGB is searching for the next generation of athletes, and with just over 4 years to go, time is of the essence.

Amputees with a previous sporting background can often make a rapid and successful transition into Paralympic sport, particularly if they are able to transfer talent they already possess. Danny Crates for instance was a rugby winger prior to a car accident in which he lost his arm. He was able to transfer his talent to the track where he won 800m Gold at the 2004 Athens Paralympics. Like Danny, if you have a previous sporting background, there could be Paralympic opportunities waiting for you. However, success does not come easily – it requires talent, commitment and sacrifice.

Many amputees are not aware of the sports that are available to them or even their eligibility to become a Paralympian. However, there are in fact now 14 summer and four winter Paralympic sports open to amputee athletes.

I’m a BLESMA member – how do I get involved?

As part of its search for the s of the future, ParalympicsGB will be holding a number of events in 2008 to identify talented athletes. This includes initiatives to introduce injured Servicemen and Women to Paralympic sport. If you have a sporting background and think you have what it takes to be a Paralympian then ParalympicsGB want to hear from you. For more information contactNik.Diaper@eis2win.co.uk