Marcel Hug recently submitted an inquiry to the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) requesting assistance on two matters: 1) Restoring a wheelchair event at various international events such as the Olympic Games, which hosted a demonstration event for wheelchairs from 1984 to 2004, and 2) Restoring a four-year cycle during which a major title is contested each year. His request was signed by 26 athletes.

His request follows, as does the IPC’s response:

– Hug Request (PDF)

– IPC Response (PDF)

Paralympic great Louise Sauvage left the door open for a possible full-time return to wheelchair racing after finishing second at the Oz Day 10K event in Sydney.

In her first race for five years, Sauvage led coming around the final turn at The Rocks in Sydney before being overtaken by fellow Australian Christie Dawes down the home straight.

Sauvage, who won the Sydney race 10 times before ending her glittering career following the Athens Paralympics in 2004, decided to come out of retirement to help commemorate the Oz Day 10K’s 20th anniversary.

Despite a limited training schedule, Sauvage showed she still has plenty of pace in a racing chair, finishing just behind 2008 Beijing Paralympian Dawes in a strong international field. Sauvage, 35, was coy when asked if it was the start of a full-scale comeback.

(more…)

Britain’s David Weir was nominated last week to be a member of the Order of the British Empire, one of the highest honors bestowed upon its citizens.

Weir was dominating at the ‘08 Games, winning two golds, one silver and a bronze and has positioned himself in the last four years as what many consider the sport’s top athlete. He was recognized as the BBC London Disabled Athlete of the Year in 2008.

Read the full story here.

'08 SERIES STANDINGS

Name	Nation	Points
Chantal Peticlerc	CAN	7,876.4
Diane Roy	CAN	7,812.5
Edith Hunkeler	SUI	7,792.9
Sandra Graf	SUI	7,783.9
Shelly Woods	CAN	7,741.2

See full standings