By Tom Degun

May 13 - ParalympicsGB chief executive Phil Lane (pictured) has praised the success of the latest Paralympic Potential Day which took place at the University of Bath, the same venue that will host the British team's pre-London 2012 preparation camps.



Nearly 50 people from across Britain attended the day, which is part of a talent search initiative designed to find people with a disability who have the potential talent, ambition and determination to become compete at  London in 2012, Sochi in 2014 and Rio in 2016.

Lane said: "Today has been a great success.

"Everyone here has had a chance to try out several different sports and the opportunity to impress some of the GB coaches.

"It has also been a great opportunity for us at ParalympicsGB to spend some time in Bath as we will be spending quite a bit of time here over the next few years."

The University of Bath is already the main training base for several Paralympians, including Beijing silver medallist Ben Rushgrove, who was on hand to provide some words of inspiration to the attendees.

Bath-based Winter Paralympian Talan Skeels-Piggins was also present to offer encouragement and to try to persuade some of the attendees to take up his sport of alpine skiing.

Skeels-Piggins said: "For me, it’s wonderful to be able to share my passion for skiing with others and show them the possibilities that exist.

"Skiing covers every facet of sport, from relaxed easy runs to high-speed downhill.

"I would like people to give the sport a go and experience it for themselves."

Coaches from a dozen sports assessed the attendees for potential talent, providing information and putting the hopefuls through their paces.

Cadbury, a corporate supporter and the official treat provider of confectionery at the London 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games, supported the event and provided over 25 volunteers, including employees from their South West sales team and Somerdale factory in Keynsham.

Lisa Huggins-Chan, Head of Community 2012 from Cadbury said: "It’s been a fantastic day helping these aspiring athletes try out different sports.

"We have a strong heritage of community involvement and over 30 per cent of our employees volunteer their time to help local communities."

The Paralympic Potential day in Bath is the tenth Paralympic Potential day that ParalympicsGB have held.

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