By Duncan Mackay
British Sports Internet Writer of the Year

September 8 - Sheffield has been chosen to host the 2011 World Short Track Speed Skating Championships, it has been announced. 


Tickets are now on sale to see many of the athletes to see more than 200 skaters from 34 countries competing at Sheffield's Motorpoint Arena from March 11-13.

It is the first time the Championship has been held in England for ten years, when they were also held in Sheffield. 

The star of the show on that occasion was China's Yang Yang (A), who won gold medals in five of the seven women's events while South Korea's Min Ryoung claimed gold in four of the men's events.
 
Keith Horton, the chief executive of the National Ice Skating Association (NISA), said: "This will be a fantastic opportunity for everyone to see the world’s best short track speed skaters from Asia, North America and Europe.

"We have a commitment to bringing sporting events to this country to show that our facilities are up there with the best in the world.

"We are very much looking forward to working with the city of Sheffield and our partners once again.

"[The] NISA has assembled an experienced organising committee who are already working hard on the entire pre-event organisation.

"We are confident that these Championships will be of the highest standard possible and will be most memorable for everyone involved."

China dominated the sport at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver earlier this year, winning four of the eight gold medals available, with Wang Meng (pictured) collecting three. 

South Korea, meanwhile, came out on top at this year's World Championships in Sofia, winning nine of the 12 gold medals on offer in the Bulgarian capital, finishing ahead of China, who won three.
 
Ken Pendrey, director of operations and chair of the Organising Committee said: "I'm confident that this World Championship will be a most exciting and thrilling event for not only the home spectators, but for the millions of short track fans from North America and Asia who will be watching the event on live TV. 

"The Motorpoint Arena itself is a fantastic place to hold this prestigious ISU (International Skating Union) Championship and I'm positive that it will provide all the facilities necessary in making this event a huge success."

With a capacity of 12,500, the Motorpoint Arena is Sheffield International Venues (SIV) flagship facility.

It is due to host the European Figure Skating Championships in 2012.
 
Steve Brailey, chief executive of SIV said: "It is a credit to both the SIV team and the city that NISA chooses our venues so often for its international events.

"The first-class facilities on offer at the Motorpoint Arena will provide an excellent venue for a competition of this calibre.

"It’s another opportunity for SIV to have a positive economic impact on the city and will also be a boost to Sheffield’s tourism industry attracting hundreds of skaters, coaches and families from around the world."

The Championships will be supported by the event’s funding partners, The City of Sheffield, Welcome to Yorkshire, Yorkshire Forward, Yorkshire South and National Lottery funding support through UK Sport.

Ticket details are available by clicking here.

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