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Equivalent to the Olympic Games, the Paralympic Games is the highest level of competition for athletes with disability to showcase their abilities on the world stage.
To be held in Beijing, China, the 2008 Paralympic Games is themed “tongyi” (translated as “unify"), meaning “the whole Mankind lives in the same world and seeks for the same dream and ideal”.
This epitomizes the Olympic/Paralympic “One World” campaign, which aims to bring the world together using the platform of the Games. Also, it explains the synergy between Olympics and Paralympics, to which the Beijing Organizing Committee has promised the same emphasis and grandeur.
The objectives of the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are:
For the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games, Singapore intends to send its best athletes to participate in swimming, athletics, sailing and equestrian events. A series of selection trials will be held to select only the most outstanding as Singapore’s representatives in this prestigious event.
This is your opportunity to represent Singapore and be known to the World.
Athletics, equestrian, sailing and swimming events are open for selection.
SDSC will be holding National Selection Trials for Athletics and Swimming.
As trials for non-quantifiable sports (sailing and equestrian) will not be held, please submit your registration form together with your accumulated list of achievements/results if you wish to be considered for these two sports.
Click here to download the list of events offered for Athletics
Click here to download the list of events offered for Swimming
You will be given a preliminary classification according to your stated disability on the registration form for the selection trials. Final classification will take place at the Paralympic Games.
Step 1: Register and successfully meet the National Selection Trial Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS) for the specific sport
Step 2: Register and successfully compete in an IPC-sanctioned (or equivalent) event for that sport
Step 3: Review and Adoption by an independent selection committee. Nominees who have successfully navigated steps 1 and 2 will be further evaluated based on the following criteria:
• Attitude and behavior
• Current skill level and fitness
• Level of commitment and attendance (must hit minimum 80% monthly attendance)
• Potential for future development
• Current timings (i.e. submitted best timings must be achieved in the 2007-2008 season)
The selection committee may, at its discretion, give consideration to extenuating circumstances. For this purpose, “extenuating circumstances” mean an inability of the athlete to compete in and/or attend event, training camps or other required attendances arising from:
• Injury or illness
• Equipment failure
• Travel delays
• Bereavement
• Such other circumstances as the selectors may consider to be relevant
Click here to view the selection process for the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games.
You are eligible to register for the National Selection Trials if you meet the basic requirements:
Sailing
Sailors must have successfully competed in a regatta sanctioned by International Foundation for Disabled Sailing (IFDS) and earned qualifying slots for their respective class.
Equestrian
Athletes must have successfully competed in an event sanctioned by Fédération Equestre Internationale (FEI) and earned qualifying slots for their respective class.
Athletics
Athletes must meet the IPC Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS) during the National Selection Trials (Athletics) and IPC-sanctioned Trials (International German Open Championship Athletics 2008).
International Open German Championship Athletics 2008
Date: 13 to 15 June 2008
Venue: Berlin, Germany
Click here for the events available at the National Selection Trials
Click here for the IPC Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS)
Swimming
Athletes must register with their personal bests’ timings and meet the IPC Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS) during the National Selection Trials (Swimming) and IPC-sanctioned trial (22nd International German Championship 2008).
22nd International German Championship 2008
Date: 22 to 25 May 2008
Venue: Berlin, Germany
Click here for the events available at the National Selection Trials
Click here for the IPC Minimum Qualifying Standards (MQS)
Note: Athletes who successfully meet the MQS during the National Selection Trials will be invited to participate in the IPC-sanctioned trials so as to record their official IPC timings. Only official IPC-sanctioned timings will be considered during the final selection.
Click here to download the registration form for the Trials.
Completed forms must reach us via post, fax or email by 25 April 2008.
Singapore Disability Sports Council
Sports Excellence Department
230 Stadium Boulevard
Singapore 397799
Fax: +65 63420 961
Email:
Successful registrants for the National Selection Trials (Athletics, Swimming) will be announced on our website, http://www.sdsc.org.sg, by 26 April 2008. You will also be contacted by SDSC.
Successful athletes who have registered for sailing and equestrian events will be contacted by SDSC.
National Selection Trials (Athletics)
Date/Time: 2 May 2008 (Fri), 4.30 pm
Venue: Kallang Practice Track (Opposite National Stadium)
National Selection Trials (Swimming)
Date: 30 April 2008 (Wed), 7 pm to 9 pm
Venue: Farrer Park Swimming Complex (Opposite Kandang Kerbau Women’s Hospital)
Extra selection trials will NOT be conducted for those who are unavailable.
You must:
• Be committed to train regularly with the national squad;
• Achieve 80% attendance in all training sessions
• Not display any disciplinary issues
• Fulfill all other requirements/code of code deemed necessary by SDSC;
• Be liable for any charges incurred if you withdraw last minute after the final list of athletes is confirmed
An athlete who is not selected after the National Selection Trials may appeal that decision to the Selection Appeal Committee if there are supporting details to justify inclusion or he or she is of the opinion that the Selection Criteria have not been properly implemented.
All appeals must be lodged with the Executive Director of the Singapore Disability Sports Council (SDSC) using the Appeal Form within 3 working days of the notification of the decision by the Selection Committee.
The Appeal Form must be accompanied by an appeal fee to SDSC, which will only be refunded if the appeal is successful. (S$100 for sports with quantifiable results/timings; S$300 for sports without quantifiable results/timings)
Download the Appeal Flowchart to know more about how an appeal for Paralympics inclusion works
Download the Appeal Form here
The responsibility is on the athlete to give serious thought to his or her acceptance of the selection. The athlete must be transparent and honest in communicating, to the Council, any impending issues that may adversely affect participation in the competition that he or she is selected for.
An athlete who has accepted the selection may only withdraw from the team for the following reasons: -
• Injury sustained during training/accident (certified by a medical doctor);
• Sudden illness (certified by a medical doctor);
• Compassionate grounds (e.g. bereavement of a relative, spouse/child is hospitalized, etc);
• Examinations/work attachments (verified by school /employer); or
• Other unexpected life events that may affect the focus and morale of the athlete.
Should an athlete withdraw from the team without a valid and acceptable reason within 1 month prior to the contingent’s departure, he or she is liable to SDSC for the reimbursement of any costs incurred during the preparations for the competition.
Deadline for National Selection Trials Registration: 25 April 2008
National Selection Trials (Swimming): 30 April 2008, 7 pm to 9 pm
National Selection Trials (Athletics): 2 May 2008, 4.30 pm
22nd International German Championship 2008 (IPC-Sanctioned Trials for Swimming): 22-25 May 2008
International Open German Championship Athletics 2008 (IPC-Sanctioned Trials for Athletics): 13-15 June 2008
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games: 6-17 September 2008
Email to or call 6342 3504 to speak to our Sports Excellence department.
You can also visit the official 2008 Paralympics website (http://en.beijing2008.cn/paralympic/) for more information.