Swimmers ready for BT Paralympic World Cup

The event at the Manchester Aquatics Centre will provide the Brits with valuable race exposure ahead of the IPC Swimming World Championships in Eindhoven this summer.

The eighteen-strong team will also feature multiple Paralympic medallists Matthew Walker, Sascha Kindred and Heather Frediksen as the home nation looks to battle for pride against teams from around the world.

Simmonds commenced the 2009 event in style by breaking the world record in the S6 100m Freestyle in the opening race and is relishing the opportunity of being back in Manchester to contest the 200m Individual Medley and 100m Breaststroke.

The 15-year-old said: “The BT Paralympic World Cup is a key competition for me in my preparations for this year’s World Championships in August. I had a great time last year and set a world record in my opening race. I always enjoy swimming in Manchester and I look forward to racing against everyone in my two events this year.”

The swimmers will compete in six different classes as the BBC broadcasts live from the BT Paralympic World Cup on Monday 31st May.

National Performance Director Tim Reddish said: “I am delighted that so many of our British swimmers will be competing at the BT Paralympic World Cup. It is always a fantastic event that attracts world-class talent and outstanding performances.

“We will have the opportunity to compete against the best in the world in our own country, which will be an invaluable experience in their preparations for 2012. I know I speak for all our athletes when I say we are all looking forward to the event.”

The British Disability Swimming team, powered by British Gas, are listed below: