Speaking ahead of the Christchurch 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) World Championships later this month, Eriksson said: "My primary focus is integration.

"Since I've come into post it's been vital that we move towards the same opportunities, the same services, the same coaching and the same expectations as the Olympic programme.

"Taking everything into consideration I'm confident that we're starting to see that happen and, as our integration becomes seamless, we're further demonstrating Great Britain as a world-leading nation in summer and winter Paralympic sport."

Britain's Paralympic athletics team arrived in Auckland, New Zealand last week for a 12-day preparation camp ahead of the World Championships in Christchurch whichis due to take place from January 21-30.

UK Atheltics and English Institute of Sport (EIS) sport science and medical support team have worked closely with the squad as part of the programme, with integration a key focus.

EIS physiotherapist Lily Devine, who has worked as part of the sport medicine team and travelled out to New Zealand, said: "Over the past year the programme has really focused on building its professionalism and increasing the support services available to athletes in order to help prepare them on their journeys leading up to the worlds and of course London 2012.

"With such a breadth of disciplines and range of classifications athletes compete in support needs to be well tailored to the individuals' requirements and the training phase they're in.



"So, for example, we've had athletes working on recovery such as javelin thrower Nathan Stephens (pictured), who's had both an intense rehabilitation programme and a regular monthly programme to recover from surgery, as well as athletes who have focused on performance enhancement work to improve their active range of movement (AROM).

"Whatever stage athletes have been at, it's been the support team's job to make sure we work closely with the athlete, with each other, as well as with the coaches to ensure we get the most out of preparations leading into the worlds."

Travelling with the squad earlier this month meant that for Devine, support has transitioned from training into the training camp and competition, in order that physiotherapy support is delivered as and when athletes require it.

"The first two weeks in Auckland at the Olympic Institute involved daily clinics to manage ongoing injuries and any issues picked up in training," she said.

"As we move into competition mode the change of set-up will mean a focus on those going into competition and ensuring that the 'stress' it takes out of the process for them – be that an injury or performance issue or simply additional help in getting them ready.

"My role therefore could be having physio sessions and then helping carry wheelchairs and other equipment to help things run smoothly and keep athletes free to focus on the job in hand.

"The worlds will also give us an opportunity to assess where prehabilitative and recovery strategies excelled and where they could be improved so that over the next 18 months we have the right stepping stones in place as a team to help athletes on to the next major challenge - London 2012."

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