The competition, which takes place every four years, is due to run from August 28 to September 1, with over 1,700 athletes with intellectual disabilities from across Britain to compete across 12 sports.

The majority of sports will be held at the University of Bath's high performance facilities, and the University will also provide accommodation and catering during the Games.

The move continues the University of Bath's commitment to disability sport after it served as the preparation camp for the ParalympicsGB team at London 2012.

"We're delighted and proud to be hosting the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games," said deputy vice-chancellor of the University of Bath Professor Kevin Edge.

"We have a proven track record of hosting major sporting events and we've been working closely with the team at Special Olympics GB to ensure the Games are a big success."

The 2013 Games are the ninth edition of the Special Olympics GB National Summer Games and the first to be held in Bath.

In addition to the athletes, some 600 coaches, 3,000-plus family members and supporters, 500 volunteers and 120 sports officials are due to be in attendance

Entry to competitions is free for spectators and members of the public are invited to come along and cheer on the athletes.


"We're excited to be bringing the Games to Bath and to be using the wonderful facilities that the University of Bath has to offer," said Special Olympics GB chief executive Karen Wallin.

"We're thrilled to be holding our National Summer Games at a venue that is steeped in Olympic and Paralympic history and continues to play a major role in the country's sport.

"It's going to be a terrific Games."

Nine of the 12 sports on the Bath 2013 programme will take place at the university, including athletics, badminton, boccia, bowls, five-a-side football, artistic and rhythmic gymnastics, table tennis and tennis.

Golf, aquatics and ten-pin bowling held at other venues nearby.

Olympic champion sprinter Jason Gardener, who is an Ambassador for the Bath 2013 Games, also welcomed the contract signing.

"I'm excited to be involved in what I'm sure will be a fantastic Games," said Gardener, who trained at the university en route to helping Team GB to the 4x100 metres gold at the Athens 2004 Olympics.

"The University is extremely well established in the delivery of great sporting events and I'm sure it will deliver an even better one this time around."

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