By Tom Degun

January 4 - ParalympicsGB today begun hosting the first of their preparation camps for the London 2012 Games at the University of Bath on the same day they have announced that Dr Nick Webborn (pictured) will be the team's chief medical officer for 2012.


Webborn , a former RAF doctor who spent time in both Headley Court and Stoke Mandeville as part of his rehabilitation from a spinal injury in rugby, has been working in disability sport medicine since 1992 and was the British Paralympic Association (BPA) medical officer at the 1996 and 1998 Games in Atlanta and Nagano.

He then worked as medical officer for the British Swimming squad until the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games and following the Games, he became the medical adviser for the BPA involved in strategic planning of sports science and medicine services up until the Beijing Games in 2008.

Webborn is a member of the International Paralympic Committee sport science committee and a sports medicine expert with a wide experience in many Olympic and Paralympic sports.

As a wheelchair tennis player, he has also represented Britain in the 2005 World Team Cup.

Webborn said: "I am absolutely delighted that I have been appointed to this position and I look forward to working with all the sports and their athletes over the next few years.

"I have always enjoyed the challenge of working with Paralympians: they are top flight athletes who give you extra challenges as a clinician because their sports participation and impairment creates problems not always found in the textbooks.

"My task will be to help get the team to the start line in the best possible condition. After that it will be up to them to win the medals.”

Penny Briscoe, ParalympicsGB’s Performance Director stated: "We know that fit and healthy athletes form the foundation from which to build medal winning performances.

"We’re thrilled that Nick, one of the most experienced and respected practitioners in Paralympic sport, will be working with us as we prepare for 2012."

Webborn will be onsite in Bath for the first British 2012 preparation camp which will be hosting nine sports: archery, fencing, goalball, judo, powerlifting, shooting, table tennis, volleyball and both men’s and women's wheelchair basketball.

The athletes will live and train on site at the University and will combine their training with various other activities designed to prepare them for the rigours of a home Games.

The camp is also being supported by various 2012 partners, including Cadbury, who are providing volunteers as well as funding for some of the London 2012 hopefuls that have come through the Paralympic Potential days to attend.

LloydsTSB are also supporting the attendance of four of their local hero athletes, which include three of the basketball squad.

Phil Lane, the chief executive of ParalympicsGB said: "We are delighted that our 2012 plans have kicked off.

"Since Beijing a lot of planning has taken place to ensure that we can provide the best multi-sport training environment.

"It's great to see that finally taking shape here at the University of Bath and fantastic that we have the support of the wider 2012 family through Cadbury and LloydsTSB’s support."

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