There are two major World Championship events in January - the IPC Alpine Skiing World Championships in Sestriere from January 15-23 and the IPC Athletics World Championships in Christchurch from January 21-30.

Sir Philip will be attending the skiing while Xavier Gonzalez will be the IPC's key representative at the athletics.

Sir Philip said: "The year 2010 has been very successful in our World Championships and we will continue that trend this month.

"New stars are destined to emerge from these events, and will have an impact on the next summer and winter Games.

"Bring on the new year."

Sir Philip was speaking at the IPC annual reception earlier this week at their headquarters in Bonn, Germany, where the key theme was Paralympic World Championship events.

The reception kicked off with a highlights video from the 2010 IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, followed by a welcome speech by Sir Philip and the Lord Mayor of Bonn, Juergen Nimptsch.

With over 100 attendees, some of the notable guests over the evening included athletes, representatives from the German Ministry of the Interior and representatives from the IPC partners and patrons.

Photographs were also shown to guests from last year's World Championships in powerlifting, shooting, swimming and wheelchair dance sport.

A Best of Vancouver 2010 photograph presentation looked back at the successful Paralympic Winter Games in Canada.

The IPC also announced that their online TV channel www.ParalympicSport.TV will be broadcasting live coverage from the IPC Athletics World Championships in New Zealand.

Starting from the first day of competition there will be daily live coverage of the evening session between 2am and 6am GMT.

Craig Spence, the IPC's media and communications senior manager, said: "This is the first time these World Championships have been held outside of Europe and it is important for us that as many people as possible around the world get to see these great athletes in action.

"For many living in the northern hemisphere this might mean a late night or early morning start - however it will certainly be worth it.

"These Championships are the last major gathering before London 2012 so a lot of athletes will be out to prove a point.

"We're expecting some great races and world record performances."

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