Alexin to host 2013 IPC Powerlifting Open Euros

“This will be the first Open European Championships in the sport in six years, and I hope it will be the first of many more IPC Powerlifting regional championships to come in the near future."

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) announced on Monday (25 February) that the Russian city of Alexin will host the 2013 IPC Powerlifting Open European Championships, taking place from 22-28 May.

Organised by the Russian Sport Federation for Physically Disabled Athletes, the 2013 Open European Championships will be the first major gathering of international powerlifters since the London 2012 Paralympic Games, welcoming around 250 athletes.

Xavier Gonzalez, IPC Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are delighted that Alexin will host the IPC Powerlifting Open European Championships this year.

“This will be the first Open European Championships in the sport in six years, and I hope it will be the first of many more IPC Powerlifting regional championships to come in the near future.

“Our goal is to further develop and enhance the sport by offering more competitions on an international level between Paralympic Games.”

The competition will include the new weight categories, which took effect on 1 January, changing the structure of weight classes. This follows an extensive review of all bodyweight category trends across major competitions.

The decision was made at the 2010 Sport Forum to alter the IPC Powerlifting Rules and Regulations after the London 2012 Paralympic Games. In November 2012, it was endorsed by National Paralympic Committees and then approved by the IPC Governing Board in January 2013.

Alexin is an administrative centre in the Tula region of Russia, located in the northern part of the Middle-Russian Plate on both banks of the Oka River, 59 km north of Tula. The town is divided in two parts by the Oka river – the old part – Zarechye and the new part – Sotsgorod.

For further information on the event, please visit www.ipc-powerlifting.org.