The European Paralympic Committee (EPC) has announced the winners of the ‘Best of the Best’ Award for competitors from the EPC Youth Games 2012.  Milan Mann (Czech Sports Organisation for Physically Disabled) and Anđela Muzinic (National Paralympic Committee Croatia) were named this week as the competition winners based on their performances during the Youth Games. 

Between 20th and 24th June 2012 Brno, Czech Republic hosted the first European Paralympic Committee Youth Games, which saw 350 participants from 14 countries take part in ranging from established sports such as Swimming, Athletics and Table Tennis through to breakthrough disciplines such as RaceRunning.

The event, funded by the European Commission and supported by the Emil Foundation provided athletes with a disability aged between 14 and 20 with the opportunity to compete in their sport of choice in a four day, multi level programme which made room for participation in educational seminars and cultural programme alongside competition. 

The Awards were decided upon by the EPC after applications were submitted by Coaches on behalf of their national teams. The EPC would like to thank all of those who applied for providing such a competitive process which eventually saw Milan and Andela selected as the ‘Best of the Best’.

Milan Mann, 19, a swimmer representing the Czech Sports Organisation for Physically Disabled in Brno, competed in the S10 Masters Class, picking up an incredible six medals in the process. Andela Muzinic who represented the NPC Croatia in Brno, competed in the TT3 Masters Class of the Table Tennis event during the Youth Games. The announcement of the awards added to Andela’s sporting success in recent weeks as the news coincided with her call up to the full Croatian Paralympic Team participating in the London Paralympics. 

Both athletes will now join the EPC in London during the Paralympics where the awards will be presented as specially arranged reception and awards ceremony on the 5th September, 16:00, at Austrian House, Trinity House, Tower Hill, where the EPC looks forward to showcasing the success of the EPC Youth Games 2012. 

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

BEST OF THE BEST AWARD

 Milan Mann, 19, swimming  (Class S10), Czech Sports Organisation for Physically

 Andela Muzinic,19, Table Tennis (Class TT3), National Paralympic Committee Croatia

EPC RECEPTION

 Austrian House, Trinity House, Tower Hill

 5th September, 16.00

 Presentation of EPC Superheroes

 Presentation of Best of the Best Award 

THE EUROPEAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE (www.europaralympic.org)  

The European Paralympic Committee (EPC) s a non for profit organisation registered in Vienna, Austria. The EPC aims to provide sports programs and initiatives for persons with a disability in order to increase sports participation rates throughout European communities including those in less economically affluent zones and minority groups.

EPC PRESIDENT: John Petersson 

 15 Paralympic medals in swimming  during five Paralympic Games from 1984-2000

 Vice President of the National Paralympic Committee Denmark

 President of the EPC since 2009

EUROPEAN PARALYMPIC COMMITTEE YOUTH GAMES 2012 (www.epc-youth-games.eu) 

 20th - 24th June 2012, Brno, Czech Republic

 Funded by the European Commission and supported by the Emil Foundation

 350 participants from 14 countries represented

 Events included Swimming, Athletics, Boccia, Table Tennis, RaceRunning, Sailing and Wheelchair Rugby

 Best of the Best competition: best male and female athlete from the Games as selected by the EPC will attend the Paralympics in London.

LOGO DOWNLOADS:  http://www.epc-youth-games.eu/PressMedia/Default.aspx 

PHOTO DOWNLOADS: http://www.epc-youth-games.eu/Youth-Zone/Default.aspx 

PRESS CONTACT:

Matthias Guett

European Paralympic Committee

Opernring 1, Stiege E / 2. Stock / Top 222-227

1010 Vienna, Austria

matthias.guett@europaralympic.org 

Mobile: +49 173 410 21 33

Fax: + 43 1890 067 690