By Tom Degun

IPC_Swimming_European_Championships_Berlin_2011May 1 - The 2011 International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Swimming European Championships are set to be the biggest ever with 39 countries expected to send swimmers to Berlin to compete at the event.


This is four more countries than the last European Championships which were held in Reykjavik in Iceland in 2009.

Georgia will be making their debut at the event, which is due to be held at the Europasportpark between July 3 and 10, while more than 450 swimmers are set to take part in the German capital which is also an increase on the number who took part in 2009.

Agnes Szilak, the IPC's Swimming Sport Manager, said: "We are delighted that the IPC Swimming European Championships continue to grow in size and stature.

"This July's event has even more importance as it is the last major gathering of European swimmers ahead of next year's Paralympic Games in London.

"Not only will swimmers be competing to win medals but also to meet qualification times for London 2012 so we expect the level of competition to be extremely high."

The event in 2011 IPC Swimming European Championship will see top stars such as Britain's Ellie Simmonds in action and looking to put down a marker to rivals ahead of the London 2012 Paralympics

The competition will take place at Berlin's Europasportpark, a venue which has already hosted multiple aquatic events.

The final entry deadline for the event is May 19.

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