As well as T44 200 metres champion Oliveira (pictured top) and F44 long jump silver medallist Reid, British Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford and the Dominican Republic's 400m hurdles gold medallist Félix Sánchez are already confirmed to compete at the event - now in its fifth year - which takes place in Manchester city centre on May 25.

"I am very proud to be returning to the United Kingdom," Oliveira said.

"London 2012 was the greatest ever Paralympic Games and the Great CityGames Manchester will give me another chance to perform at the highest level.

"I'm thrilled to have been invited to compete."

A crowd of 20,000 people is expected to gather on Deansgate in Manchester to watch the athletes compete on the purpose-built IAAF certified track and the newly-created long jump arena outside Manchester Town Hall, with spectators able to experience the action for free.


"The support for British athletes from the public was wonderful at the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, and I'm sure Manchester will give us an incredible reception," Rutherford said.

"I'm delighted to see the Paralympians being invited for the first time and it shows the remarkable strides that the movement has made.

"At the end of the day, we are all simply athletes."

The announcement coincides with the unveiling of BT as the event's new title sponsor.

"We're excited to be supporting the BT Great CityGames Manchester this May," BT's group marketing and brand director Suzi Williams said.

"Following the success of London 2012 it's a fantastic opportunity for people to get up close and personal to the world's Olympic and Paralympic champions.

"We're especially pleased that this year's event will showcase elite disability sport, building on BT's role at the heart of the Paralympic Games and our four-year involvement in the BT Paralympic World Cup."

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]