The Paralympic Committee of Saudi Arabia has organised a virtual race ©Paralympic Committee of Saudi Arabia

The Paralympic Committee of Saudi Arabia has organised a virtual race for wheelchair users, offering athletes a chance to compete despite being confined to their homes.

More than 20 athletes from inside and outside the country have registered to take part, according to organisers.

The race will take place via Zoom, the online conferencing service.

It is being organised in association with the Saudi Arabian Athletics Federation.

One of the primary aims of staging the event is to familiarise athletes with taking part in virtual events and training exercises, which are vital if fitness and performance levels are to be maintained while most of the world is in some state of lockdown in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

It should also give participating athletes a taste of competition.

Athletes across the world have turn to online platforms to be able to train and compete in groups during the pandemic ©Getty Images
Athletes across the world have turn to online platforms to be able to train and compete in groups during the pandemic ©Getty Images

Saudi Arabia has recorded more than 27,000 COVID-19 cases and 184 deaths. 

Restrictions on movement are among the measures implemented by the Government in an attempt to limit the spread of the virus.

Sixty wheelchair racers took part in a virtual Boston Marathon last month after the event itself was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, which has decimated the sporting calendar and left thousands of athletes having to train in their own homes.

Saudi Arabia won a solitary bronze medal at the Rio 2016 Paralympics, coming from Hani Alnakhli in the men's F33 shot put.