A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.1 and a depth of six miles hit the edge of Christchurch early on Saturday (September 4) with the impact bringing down power lines, ripping up roads and wrecking building facades.

Although there were reported no deaths, doctors at Christchurch Hospital said they had treated two men with serious injuries and Christchurch Mayor Bob Parker declared a state of emergency warning that continuing aftershocks could cause masonry to fall from damaged buildings.

The aftermath of the earthquake has left real worries about whether the New Zealand’s second biggest city can stage the prestigious IPC Athletics World Championships which are set to take place from January 21-30, 2011.

While it is too early to access what full scale of the damage to the venues for the event, infrastructure assessments to review the athletics stadium and accommodation facilities will take place this week and the IPC stated that the situation is being closely monitored while advising all National Paralympic Committees (NPC’s) that full planning towards next January’s competition is continuing.

IPC chief executive Xavier Gonzalez said: "Our thoughts are currently with those affected by this terrible event and we hope that those concerned can return to normal living as soon as possible.

"During this time we are working closely with the Local Organising Committee to assess what impact Saturday’s quake might have on next January’s Games and we will keep all of our NPC’s updated on the situation."

The 2011 IPC Athletics World Championships are expected to feature the world’s top Paralympic athletes, including South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius, in one of the last major gatherings before the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

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