The 2011 BT Paralympic World Cup will take place from May 13-18 with some of the most recognisable names in Paralympic sport competing, including South African sprinter Oscar Pistorius and British swimming star Ellie Simmonds (pictured).

Pistorius and Simmonds will join over 200 other top Paralympic athletes competing in athletics, wheelchair basketball, swimming, boccia and sitting volleyball at the event.

Coe said: "With the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games just around the corner for London in 2012, as a nation we are counting down the days with great anticipation and it is fantastic to have such a prestigious event as the BT Paralympic World Cup to be punctuating the calendar between now and then.

"The BT Paralympic World Cup has helped raise the profile of disability sports across the globe and in 2011 the event will provide an opportunity to see some of the world's best athletes before they compete in the 2012 Paralympic Games in London.

"Athletes will strive for success, pushing to go beyond their personal bests and compete against strong international opposition."

Following the success of the introduction of the team challenge in 2010 the concept is repeated again this year.

The team challenge sees Great Britain take on teams from the Americas, Europe and the Rest of the World with athletes competing for the overall BT Paralympic World Cup trophy.

Coe said: "The team concept will unite athletes, encouraging them to take an interest in other Paralympic sports adding an exciting supporting dynamic for the competitors and spectators alike."

"Last year's event proved the most successful to date with many exceptional results and with the support for this event we should expect to see even greater achievements in 2011."

Sir Philip Craven, the International Paralympic Committee (IPC) President, added: "The BT Paralympic World Cup is a great event showcasing some of the best elite athletes from around the world.

"With London 2012 now just around the corner, I believe there will be more interest in the event this year than ever before.

"In 2011 boccia and sitting volleyball will be represented for the first time as exhibition events alongside popular favourites such as athletics, swimming and my old sport of wheelchair basketball.

"I'd recommend that people turn out in force for this event as it will be a taster of things to come ahead of London 2012."

The BT Paralympic World Cup is the largest annual international multi-sport competition in elite disability sport.

The 2011 edition of the event will see BT entering their third year as title sponsor in a sponsorship which runs up to and includes the 2012 BT Paralympic World Cup.

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