The event will serve as a selection competition for both August's Parapan American Games in Toronto and October's International Paralympic Committee Athletics World Championships in Doha.

Around 200 athletes are expected to compete, including wheelchair distance prodigy Tatyana McFadden, the 11-time Paralympic medallist, who in 2013 became the first woman to win an unprecedented six events at the World Championships. 

Raymond Martin, five time reigning world champion in the T52 category, should also be present, along with sprinters Richard Browne and Jarryd Wallace.

Tatyana McFadden, also a silver medallist in skiing at the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics, is the highest profile US star set to compete ©Getty Images



"Hosting the national championships in Minnesota will be an exciting atmosphere ahead of the Parapan Am Games this summer and Rio in 2016," said Cathy Sellers, high performance director for US Paralympics Track & Field.

"This next year will be a make-it-or-break-it time for our athletes, and we're eager to see who stands out at nationals.

"Fostering the most competitive environment is imperative for preparing for Rio, and we're confident Hamline University will deliver that."

The event will mark the first time the annual Championships has taken place in Minnesota, and follows a 2014 event at the College of San Mateo on the San Francisco Peninsular and a 2013 edition in San Antonio, Texas.

The US won a total of 52 medals at the last IPC Athletics World Championships in 2013 in Lyon, including 17 gold, with four world records set by team members.

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