By Tom Degun

Jonnie PeacockJanuary 13 - The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) have confirmed they are looking to stage more global disability athletics competitions to build on the huge success of London 2012 but said that plans are still in their "infancy".


A British newspaper reported today that the IPC will trial a global series of meetings in 2013 in the style of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) Diamond League that showcases the world's leading able-bodied athletes.

The series appeared to have been confirmed by Sophia Warner, who took up the role of commercial director at UK Athletics after competing at London 2012, where she finished fourth in the T35 100 and 200 metres finals at the Paralympics.

Warner had told the newspaper that the series would start in April, include two events in Britain and also feature meetings in Rio de Janeiro, Germany and the Netherlands. 

But, embarrassingly for Warner and UK Athletics, the IPC have today denied her claims.

"Following the success of London 2012, IPC Athletics is looking into how it can stage a number of high profile meetings to capitalise on increasing global interest and to create more competition opportunities for elite athletes," the IPC director of communications Craig Spence told insidethegames.

"However, this project is still very much in its infancy; absolutely nothing is agreed nor signed.

"At the moment we have a strong proposal and are having discussions with interested parties.

"To read that everything was agreed and signed in some media was a big surprise for everyone here at the global governing body of the sport.

"In fact you could say some people are jumping the gun."

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