By Daniel Etchells
International Paralympic Committee (IPC) Shooting has announced that Croatian city Osijek will host the first of three World Cup qualifying events for Rio 2016, following the cancellation of the scheduled event in Volmerange, France, last month.
The competition, scheduled to take place from July 7 to 15, will be followed as planned by events in Sydney from September 15 to 19, and Fort Benning, United States, from November 3 to 7.
"I am really pleased that Croatia have come forward to host one of the most important competitions on the calendar in 2015, and indeed ahead of Rio 2016," said Sarah Bond, IPC Shooting sport manager.
"We are grateful to the Croatian National Paralympic Committee, who will be organising the competition, and are really looking forward to welcoming approximately 175 athletes from 30 countries who are all eager to secure tickets for their countries to Brazil."
As well as the three qualifying events, there will also be an additional three World Cups in 2015, providing athletes with opportunities to compete.
There will be a total of six IPC Shooting World Cup events this year ©Getty Images
The World Cup season is scheduled to begin in Stoke Mandeville from March 30 to April 1 before moving on to Szczecin, Poland, from April 17 to 21, and Antalya, Turkey, from May 12 to 15.
The road to Rio 2016 started at the 2014 IPC Shooting World Championships in Suhl, Germany, where 63 athletes secured places for their countries.
The period of direct quota allocation, where National Paralympic Committees can gain places for athletes before submitting their entries by name, ends on the conclusion of the Fort Benning World Cup.
Contact the writer of this story at daniel.etchells@insidethegames.biz
Posted by Thom Erik Syrdahl
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