London calling – Bath trio in GB squad for IPC World Para Athletics Championships
University of Bath-based athletes Paul Blake, Sophie Kamlish and Polly Maton have been named in the 49-strong British squad for the IPC World Para Athletics Championships London 2017.
The trio, who train at the Sports Training Village, are no strangers to the international stage having all competed at the Rio 2016 Paralylmpic Games, where Blake struck gold in the T36 400m and silver in the 800m.
He also won two medals at the London 2012 Games and will return to the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park hoping to add a fourth World Championship crown to the titles he won in 2011 (400m), 2013 and 2015 (both 800m). He will contest the 100m, 200m and 400m this year.
Kamlish – who, like Blake, is coached by Rob Ellchuk – will be making her third appearance at a World Championships, having won T44 200m bronze in 2013. She set a new T44 100m world record in Rio last year and has started 2017 in fine form, beating Paralympic champion Marlou van Rhijn at last month’s Arcadis Great City Games in Manchester.
Maton, coached by Colin Baross, will compete in her second World Championships having made her debut in 2015, just a couple of years after being spotted at a talent identification event.
The 17-year-old from Devizes, who competes in the T47 100m and long jump, was recently presented with an Honorary Blue by University of Bath Director of Sport Stephen Baddeley to recognise her Paralympic Games debut at Rio 2016.
The World Para Athletics Championships, taking place from July 14-23, are the first part of London’s Summer of World Athletics. It is the first time they will take place in the same city as the IAAF World Championships, being staged in August.
GB Para Athletics Head Coach Paula Dunn said: “We have selected a very strong team for the World Para Athletics Championships in London and I am delighted to see so many medallists from Rio lining up alongside some new faces at the senior level.
“Having a home World Championship is very special for all the athletes, coaches and team staff, so we are all very honoured to be representing the British team this summer.
“We have selected five athletes who topped the podium at the Paralympic Games in 2012, so they have valuable experience of a home championship. I expect the British public will throw their support behind the team once more, and our team will create some unforgettable memories for them once again in the London Stadium.”
Click here for more information about the athletics programme at the University of Bath.
