LEICESTER is set to welcome gymnastics teams from across the world next weekend, when the New College Gymnastics Centre hosts the Down Syndrome World Gymnastics Championships.

Teams from Great Britain, Italy, Russia, Portugal, South Africa, Norway, Canada, USA, Mexico, Brazil and Eire will be taking part in the event, which takes place on Sunday 16th September from 9.30am to 3pm.

Trevor Low, event manager for New College and Hinckley Gymnastic Club and organiser of the championships, said: "We are delighted to bring this prestigious event to Leicester again. The city has international status as a Special Olympic city and as a former host of the British Down Syndrome Gymnastics Championships.

"I'm sure the city will give a wonderful warm reception to the athletes and thoroughly enjoy the championship."

The prestigious gymnastics event for people with Down Syndrome will involve 50 athletes including three gymnasts from Leicester Leys Special Needs Gymnastics club.

Cllr Vi Dempster, Assistant City Mayor for children, schools and education, is a keen advocate of disability sport and is supporting the event.

Cllr Dempster said: "I'm delighted that the championships are being hosted in the city for the second year running, particularly as it's our Olympic and Paralympic hosting year.

"I am a great supporter of this event and really looking forward to attending the championships.

"I'd like to give a warm welcome to our international friends, and the very best of luck to all those athletes taking part in Sunday's event."

Leicester City Football club and King Power are the head line sponsors of the event and have also provided funding for a wide ranging programme dedicated to young people with special needs.

Susan Whelan, CEO at Leicester City Football Club, said: "We are delighted to be one of the principle sponsors for such a high profile event that will most certainly continue to raise the profile of disability sport following on from the success of the Paralympics.

"We are also pleased to be supporting the disability gymnastics legacy programme that will run post the event and provide opportunities for children and young people in the Cities Special needs Schools. I wish the best of luck to every competitor"

The event takes place between 9.30am and 3pm at New College Leicester, Learning and Sports Village, Gymnastic Centre on Glenfield Road.

Entrance to the event is free.

Jane Brown, principal of New College Leicester Learning and Sports Village, said: "We are extremely proud to be staging such a high profile event here at the school so soon after the closing ceremony of the Parlympic Games.

"Events like this and the schools desire to create a Learning and Sports Village are a true example of our commitment to create a legacy from the Olympic and Paralympic Games."

More details on the event are available from Trevor Low on 0116 247 8766/07590 122 098 or by emailing: trevorlow@thegymnast.fsnet.co.uk or New Clooege business development officer, Wayne Allsopp, on 0116 231 8517/07506 675 451 or by emailing: wallsopp@newcollege.leciester.sch.uk