Nottwil to host first two editions of IPC Athletics Junior World Championships

The first two editions of the new IPC Athletics event will take place in the Swiss municipality of Nottwil ©Wikipedia

Nottwil in Switzerland will stage the first two editions of the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Athletics Junior World Championships in 2017 and 2019, it has been announced.

The new event, set to take place for the first time from August 3 to 6 in 2017, will enhance the development pathway for young international class athletes to progress towards regional, Championship and ultimately Paralympic level, it is hoped.

It will cater simultaneously for two age groups, embracing youth athletes aged between 14 and 17, as well as junior ones spanning the 18 to 19 age group.

"This announcement is the latest major development in the sport of Para-athletics,” said the sport’s governing body head, Ryan Montgomery.

"Since London 2012 our goal has been to create a structured competition pathway for leading athletes around the world and this latest move is a one of the most important addition to that pathway.

"Coming in the year after the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, these first two Championships in Nottwil will provide that vital stepping stone between junior and senior competitions for the world's leading Para-athletes and a flavour of what is to come in their international careers."

Image title — The new event will help aspiring Para-athletes follow the path set by some of the biggest names in the sport, it is hoped ©Getty Images

Nottwil is already well known on the IPC Athletics circuit, having hosted a leg of the Grand Prix circuit for the last two years.

"The encouragement of young athletes is extremely important for us and we are glad about having an additional international competition,” said Ruedi Spitzli, head of Wheelchair Sport Switzerland.

"We always supported this development.

"Besides, we dispose of a team of talented young athletes which benefits of this great possibility to compete against the world-best juniors, which has gained a reputation for a quick track capable of producing record times.

"The simultaneous assignment for two events shows that the IPC appreciates the quality of our competitions and is convinced that we will decisively contribute to the establishment of the new competition format.

“Athletes will profit from an excellent infrastructure, an experienced organiser and a very fast track in Nottwil.

“For example, there were 11 new world records on this track during the IPC Athletics Grand Prix in 2014."