Two-time Paralympian Richard Whitehead has celebrated this summer’s IAAF World Championships IPC World ParaAthletics, coining the London Stadium-hosted competitions as the biggest events held in the UK this year.
Whitehead has remained at the forefront of ParaAthletics in the buildup to the 2017 ParaAthletics, the gold-medal winning T42 athlete leading the field in Rio last summer four years on from his exploits in London 2012.
“When you think about the pinnacle of sport you want to compete and be successful in your home capital and in a massive competition,†he said.
“The IAAF World Championships and World Para Athletics Championships will be the biggest events this country will see this year.
“That is not just because of the athletes competing on the track but because it is a spectator event which the whole city can get behind."
While Whitehead’s exploits are renowned the world over, he refused to be drawn on whether he’d back himself to win gold at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in July, but instead re-emphasised the strength of Team GB ahead of the IPC ParaAthletics.
“You can be overconfident and I will never say that I will win but I can guarantee that myself and athletes such as Carly [Tait] and Sam [Ruddock] and the rest of the British team are going to give 110 per cent and try and win as many medals as we can do," he added.
“Obviously, we can only do our best.
“I have always said that we have a talented squad with lots of different abilities and experience which has really helped.â€
Limited tickets for this summer’s IPC ParaAthletics remain on sale. Don’t miss the chance to see the world’s finest ParaAthletes competing at London Stadium in July and secure your seats now…
