ParalympicsGB to Train at Base in Belo Horizonte Ahead of Rio 2016 Paralympic Games

The British Paralympic Association (BPA) has announced that the ParalympicsGB team will train and prepare in Belo Horizonte ahead of the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

The agreement was signed between the BPA, health the City of Belo Horizonte and the State Government of Minas Gerais.

ParalympicsGB will use the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) and the Minas Tenis Clube as pre-Games training centres, with the camp supported by UK Sport and the National Lottery funding.

Prince Harry was on hand during the signing of the agreement after taking part in rugby, basketball and judo activities with local children.

“I am delighted that the BPA has formed such a close partnership with the city of Belo Horizonte,” said Prince Harry. “London 2012 was a fantastic success and the Paralympic Games has moved on to a new level of excellence and excitement. 

“The BPA is keen to build on this incredible legacy and I have no doubt that, through the partnerships announced today, the ParalympicsGB team will be best prepared for Rio 2016.” 

The official Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed by BPA CEO, Tim Hollingsworth, the Mayor of Belo Horizonte, Marcio Lacerda, Minas Gerais State Governor, Alberto Pinto Coelho, President of Minas Tênis Clube, Luiz Gustavo Miranda Lage, and on behalf of the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Prof. Jamie Arturo Ramirez.

Fantastic facilities

Hollingsworth added: “We believe that we have found some fantastic facilities for our needs and I would like to thank all our new partners here in Belo Horizonte for working so hard to accommodate our requirements.

“We can now continue our journey towards Rio 2016 with the knowledge that our athletes will have the best possible preparation ahead of the Games and that our presence here will help deliver a wider social legacy.”

Mayor Lacerda added that they were ‘honoured’ to have been chosen by the BPA and that the news, added with the city’s participation in the 2014 World Cup, was helping Belo Horizonte make ‘its name in the global sporting scene.’