The US squad enjoyed a strong year in 2013, winning 33 medals, including 11 gold, at the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships in Montreal with Long and Silverman among those to claim world titles.

They will be joined by fellow world champions Cortney Jordan, Rebecca Meyers and Roy Perkins, while London 2012 gold medallist Brad Snyder will also be competing at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center in Pasadena, California.

Tucker Dupree and Noga Nir-Kistler also won medals at the 2012 Paralympic Games and according, to high performance director for US Paralympics Swimming Queenie Nichols, the Championships next month are a stepping stone for athletes as they continue preparations for Rio 2016, where the US will be aiming to better their 41 medals from London, a total that included 14 gold.

Ian Silverman will look to continue a successful year in the pool by claiming more gold in Pasadena ©Getty Images



"While we are excited to see many of our 2012 US Paralympians again on the international stage, we are really looking forward to watching our up and coming athletes establishing themselves in Pasadena," said Nichols.

"With the next two years being so important for these athletes, the Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships are a great way for them to see where they are at on their Road to Rio.

"With Paralympic champions from around the world coming to the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center, there will be no shortage of great performances."

In addition to the US, swimmers from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, India, Japan, Mexico, Namibia, New Zealand, Russia, Singapore, South Africa and Trinidad and Tobago are set for Pasadena.

Australian Matt Cowdrey will be one of the international stars hoping to upset home swimmers at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center ©Getty Images



Australia's challenge will be headlined by multi Paralympic and world champions Matt Cowdrey and Jacqui Freney, while nine-time Paralympic champion Benoit Huot and rising star Brianna Nelson will be big medal hopes for Canada.

Six-time Parlaympic champion Andre Brasil, who claimed three world titles in Montreal last year, will be flying the flag for Brazil with South Africa's Paralympic gold medallists Charl Bouwer and Kevin Paul also expected to challenge for honours at the Rose Bowl Aquatics Center.

The Pan Pacific Para-Swimming Championships are due to take place from August 6 to 10.

Admission is free while tickets to the Opening Ceremony on August 4 are priced at $25 (£14.60/€18.40).

For more information on the Championships click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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