Kit Us Out agree to provide suits to powerlifters from developing nations until 2018

Kit Us Out will provide lifters from developing countries with suits at the Rio 2016 Paralympics ©Kit Us Out

Equipment charity Kit Us Out have agreed a deal with International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Powerlifting which will see them supply lifting suits to athletes from developing countries until 2018.

Armenian athletes Harut Mkhitaryan and Greta Vardanyan became the first athletes to benefit from the partnership when they competed in donated suits at the IPC Powerlifting European Open Championships in Eger, Hungary.

IPC Powerlifting sport manager Jorge Moreno believes that the agreement with the charity, started at the London 2012 Paralympic Games by three Gamesmakers, will provide a boost to athletes interested in competing in the sport from countries who lack funding.

“We are delighted to work with Kit Us Out in providing support to athletes and countries who wish to strengthen their competitiveness in powerlifting, but don’t always have the means to do so," said Moreno.

“The numbers of licensed athletes have increased by 71 per cent since London 2012 and more and more countries are coming on board.

“We want to give them the best possible chance and help level the playing field.”

British charity Kit Us Out provided suits to Armenia's Harut Mkhitaryan and Greta Vardanyan at the European Open Championships in Eger, Hungary ©Facebook/IPC Powerlifting

The agreement is set to cover athletes competing at Rio 2016 and next year's IPC Powerlifting World Championships, scheduled to be held in Mexico City.

Additionally the lifters at the 2018 Americas Championships, due to be staged in Colombian city Cartagena are also due to benefit from donated equipment.

It is anticipated that further IPC Powerlifting events will benefit from the deal throughout its duration.

The charity have previously provided equipment to athletes at various events, including the London 2012 and last year's Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Their founder Alex Mitchell believes the athletes should not be prevented from representing their countries as a result of a lack of access to equipment or funding, and hopes the deal with provide a boost to potential competitors.

“Access to basic kit should never be a barrier to compete at the top level and we are excited to be working with IPC Powerlifting to help level the playing field in this area,” he said.