By Tom Degun

UCI_logo_Jan_7January 7 - The International Cycling Union (UCI) have announced the list of initial places allocated to National Paralympic Committees for the London 2012 Paralympic Games.


UCI has allocated one qualification place to each of the 40 top countries in the men's and the 23 top countries in the women's categories on the basis of the UCI Para-Cycling Nations Ranking published on December 31.

The countries to have secured a qualification place in the men's event are: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina, Canada, China, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iran, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Oman, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States and Venezuela.

The women's countries are: Australia, Austria, Belarus, Burkina Faso, Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Slovakia, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom, and United States.

A UCI statement said: "The announcement means that 40 places have been allocated for athletes in the men's category out of a total of 155 and 23 in the women's category out of a total of 70."

The remaining qualification slots for the 2012 Paralympic Games will be based on the number of ranking points accrued during the qualifying events between January 1, 2011, and February 13, 2012.

For 2011, these include the Track World Championships in Italy in March and the Road World Championships in Denmark in September.

The will also be three Road World Cups in Australia, Spain and Canada and three UCI P1 Road and 2 UCI P1 Track events in Europe during the year that carry London 2012 qualification ranking points.

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