With less than one week to go until the start of the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, Great Britain, International Paralympic Committee President Sir Philip Craven has promised the public that the event “will be a taster of things to come ahead of London 2012.”

On Monday (23 May) 245 athletes from 34 countries will gather in Manchester for the seventh Paralympic World Cup an annual multi-sport competition for elite athletes with an impairment.

Covering three sports – Athletics, Swimming and Wheelchair Basketball - together with exhibitions in Boccia and Sitting Volleyball – some of the biggest names in Paralympic Sport will be in Manchester including South African ‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius and British World and Paralympic Swimming gold medalist Eleanor Simmonds.

Sir Philip Craven, IPC President said: “The BT Paralympic World Cup is a great event showcasing some of the best elite athletes from around the world.

“With London 2012 now just around the corner, I believe there will be more interest in the event this year than ever before.

“In 2011 Boccia and Sitting Volleyball will be represented for the first time as exhibition events alongside popular favourites such as Athletics, Swimming and my old sport of Wheelchair Basketball.

“I’d recommend that people turn out in force for this event as it will be a taster of things to come ahead of London 2012.

“Hopefully they’ll come down, have a great time and then join the million plus people who have already signed up for tickets for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.”