By Tom Degun

Crowne Plaza Hotel in DublinMay 12 - The 2013 European Paralympic Committee (EPC) General Assembly and Conference will be held at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dublin in October this year after Paralympics Ireland were awarded the right to stage the gathering.


The biennial event is due to take place on October 4 and 5 with delegates from over 40 countries set to be in attendance.

It will be one of the principle Paralympic gatherings in the world this year with elections to the EPC Executive Board due to take place.

The event comes just before the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) General Assembly and Conference in Athens from November 22 to 24, where Britain's Sir Philip Craven will be seeking re-election as President.

"The members of the European Paralympic Committee are looking forward to gathering in Dublin for this important General Assembly and Conference," said European Paralympic Committee President John Petersson of Denmark.

"The election of the Executive Board at the General Assembly is sure to be of interest to all members as is the conference programme currently being finalised.

"With the close proximity to the IPC General Assembly in November, the Dublin gathering provides a very timely opportunity for the European members to discuss key issues affecting the movement and bring a unified regional approach to Athens in November

"The plans for the event put in place by Paralympics Ireland are of the highest quality and will guarantee a very enjoyable few days in Dublin for all delegates."

Ireland's Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring has welcomed the announcement.

"As Minister for Tourism and Sport I am delighted that the 2013 European Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Conference will be held in Dublin in October," he said.

"It will be a great honour for Paralympics Ireland and indeed for Irish Sport as a whole to host such a prestigious event and I would like to congratulate Paralympics Ireland on bringing the 2013 European Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Conference to Ireland."

Michael RingIreland’s Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring is delighted Dublin will host the 2013 European Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Conference

Paralympics Ireland President James Gradwell added that the announcement is a huge boost for them.

"Our organisation has grown hugely over the last few years culminating in an incredible London 2012 Paralympics Games for Paralympics Ireland," he said.

"We are delighted to be hosting our European colleagues in Dublin so soon after London and look forward to producing the best ever European Paralympic Committee General Assembly and Conference.

"I'd particularly like to thank our chief executive Liam Harbison on being the driving force in bringing this event to Ireland and the great assistance received from European Paralympic Committee treasurer Craig Carscadden."

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