The 2009 Open European Championships in Athletics, regarded as one of the International Blind Sports Federation’s (www.ibsa.es) top competitions, is to be held on the Greek Island of Rhodes. It will be the first time that Greece will host such a competition which will include all 14 Paralympics events involving blind athletes.  Medal winners and top performers from the 2008 Peking Paralympics are expected to compete in the championships.

At least 500 competitors, representing national federations from 35 European countries are expected to take part along with athletes from other areas such as Canada, Japan and Australia in the Open category.

The championships will run over l0 days from June 4 until June 14 2009. Competition will take place at the Kallipatera track and field stadium, on the Rhodes-Kallithea Ave, three kms from the Rhodes town centre.

The international athletics meeting will be organized according to international regulations with recognized records, official opening and closing ceremonies, team march past, national anthems and with IBSA Open European Championship “IRIS” Rhodes 2009 medals, emblem and mascot.

The promotion of Greece and in particular Rhodes his already underway, building up to the competition during the summer. Along with the promotion of the island’s natural attractions and its outstanding services and facilities Rhodes’ sporting facilities will be highlighted to ensure ready information is available on the extensive pre-competition and training facilities that Rhodes offers.

The championships are expected to forge and strengthen developing ties between competitors, fans and sporting bodies and institutions involved in special needs athletics and will have the full support of the island’s well established technical and medical support groups, officials and judges.