The first of the new programmes is preliminarily titled ‘Inside Incredible Athletes’.

The programme is a feature documentary that takes a unique look at five Paralympic sports and places them in an extraordinary context. 

Produced by Renegade Pictures, who previously made Inside Extraordinary Bodies, and directed by Mike Christie, who made the documentary Jump London, the 90 minute film will profile five athletes, all of whom are hoping to represent Britain at the Paralympics in London.

The documentary will take the athletes away from track and field, and film stunning sporting performance sequences against a backdrop of iconic locations around London.

The second programme, currently titled ‘Paralympics on 4’, will be a weekly Saturday lunchtime series produced by Boomerang, who in the past have been responsible for 4 Sport Destination 2010 and the Track & Field Show.

The series will lead up to the London Paralympic Games 2012 and will introduce the public to members of the British team as well as providing insight into Paralympic sports.

It will be presented by Rick Edwards and former British basketball star Ade Adepitan (pictured) on location either from an event, such as the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester, or from a challenge such as Rick learning Wheelchair Rugby with the GB squad.

The pair will be backed by a team of roving reporters including UK 400 metres record holder Iwan Thomas, javelin and discus gold medal hopeful Nathan Stevens and Beijing breaststroke gold medallist Liz Johnson.

Julian Bellamy, head of Channel 4, said: "When we won the broadcast rights to the London 2012 Paralympic Games, we promised we’d provide the strongest pre-Games broadcast coverage ever seen on UK television and these two commissions are just the start. 

"We wanted to find ground-breaking, intelligent ways of raising the profile of Britain’s Paralympic athletes and the sports themselves and both these commissions will achieve this brilliantly. 

"From the very start of this process it was clear that both Renegade and Boomerang shared Channel 4’s vision to produce the most innovative sports coverage showcasing Paralympic sports to millions of viewers. 

"I’m very proud of these new commissions and I hope this puts down a clear marker for how we intend to over-achieve our ambitions in the run up, and during the London 2012 Paralympic Games."

Phil Lane, ParalympicsGB chief executive,said: "This commissioning marks an important first step in our shared ambition to raise the profile of British Paralympic athletes and sports well in advance of the Games in 2012 in order that the whole nation gets behind the team. 

"Channel 4 is to be congratulated on commissioning such exciting, creative programmes that will have the cut through needed to showcase our exciting sports and incredible athletes."

The two shows, which will be screened on Channel 4 later this year, coincide with the launch of Channel 4’s 2010 production trainee scheme which opened for applications earlier this month. 

The scheme is part of Channel 4’s commitment to reflecting diversity behind the camera as well as on screen, and this year, as part of their commitment to develop disabled talent in the build up to the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

There are six places available for disabled trainees. 

Applications for trainees are open until April 30th 2010 and more information can can by clicking here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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