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Jubilation as Paralympic
cycling to come to Kent

Brands Hatch is to play a key part in next year's Paralympic
Games.

The West Kingsdown racing circuit is to host the road cycling
events for the games, which will take place from September 5 to 8
next year.



Brands Hatch is the final venue to be unveiled in both the Olympic
and Paralympic line-up, joining confirmed locations such as Wembley
Arena, Wimbledon and Lords Cricket Ground.



The Kent circuit was chosen as the road cycling venue after
extensive consultation to find a route providing an
outstanding experience for both athletes and spectators.

Riders will race around a course that starts and finishes at
Brands Hatch and encompasses both the circuit and local roads.

Paralympic champion Rachel Morris, 32, of Farnham in Surrey,
told the Messenger: "I am really excited about competing at Brands
Hatch.

"It is really exciting and a great location.

"The track technically is fantastic with the flat and undulating
aspects.

"Hopefully I will pick up a gold medal on home turf."

During the London 2012 Paralympic Games there will be 32 road
cycling events for men and women with a range of disabilities
including visual impairments, cerebral palsy and amputations
competing on bicycles, tricycles, tandems and hand cycles.



More than 200 athletes from around 40 nations will compete in the
road cycling events, including mass start road races ranging
from 30km to 120km and individual and team time trials ranging from
20km to 35km.

The announcement is a blast from the past - the venue
was first developed in the 1920s as a grass track cycle racing
venue.

Brands Hatch and London 2012 unveiled the news at a joint media
press conference today - attended by LOCOG chairman Lord Sebastian
Coe.

He said: "We are thrilled to be bringing such a high profile and
exciting Paralympic sport here to Brands Hatch.

"This will help us extend the games outside London and will give
spectators and athletes the chance to discover yet another stunning
part of our country.

"Our ParalympicsGB cycling team won 20 medals at the Beijing
Paralympic Games in 2008, including 17 gold, and I hope that
today's announcement will inspire and excite our Paralympians about
competing here in under 500 days' time. This venue will really
bring the magic of the Games to life for thousands of
spectators."



Jonathan Palmer, chief executive of Brands Hatch owner MotorSport
Vision, added: "I am absolutely delighted Brands Hatch has been
chosen by LOCOG as the venue for the Road Cycling events at the
2012 Paralympic Games.

"This famous race circuit is ideally suited, being close to
London, having a fabulous undulating track and regularly handling
large crowds."