World Para Athletics Championships underway in London

The eighth World Para Athletics Championships get underway today, 14 July, in London at the city’s iconic London Stadium.

Over the next 10 days more than 1,150 athletes from 90 countries will contest 202 medals, back at the venue that memorably hosted the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

Eight medals will be decided on the opening day of competition, and the first track final of the London 2017 championships is sure to bring the crowd to their feet.

The women’s 100m T34 features home favourite and multiple world and Paralympic champion Hannah Cockroft; undefeated at major competitions, the 24-year-old Briton already has three 100m T34 world titles to her name, and broke the world record earlier this year.

Fellow Briton Kare Adenegan, US wheelchair racer Alexa Halko and Dutch Para athletes Desiree Vranken and Amy Siemons are amongst those determined to bring Cockroft’s time at the top to an end.

Another star Para athlete hoping to add to his impressive medal collection is Irishman Michael McKillop. The 27-year-old, who competes in the T37 class, is aiming for a phenomenal fifth consecutive 800m world title.